As Guatemala considers trade ties with mainland China, Taiwanese warned to worry about loss of allies
- Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez says his country is looking to find a Chinese market for Guatemalan products
- Public must understand Taiwan’s small allies are important in helping raise motions in UN, says academic
Taiwan started the year with 13 formal allies. With the loss of Nauru, that number fell to 12 last month, and now another – Guatemala – could be about to make the switch in diplomatic recognition to Beijing.
It is a change that does not seem to faze the island’s public but some politicians and observers warn that people should be worried about the growing prospect of Taiwan’s allies dwindling to single digits – or even zero.
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Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez told Reuters this week his country was mulling the possibility of developing formal trade ties with Beijing, although it would “continue working with Taiwan at the levels we have been doing”.
Martinez said Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, who assumed office in mid-January, “pointed out that we cannot ignore the weight and power China represents”.
“We are interested in approaching them to try and develop some relationship around trade,” Martinez said, saying this could materialise as an “office of trade interests” that would help find a Chinese market for Guatemalan products.
“We are making it public, this is not an ambush against Taiwan or the United States.”
