Paraguay's foreign minister affirmed his country's commitment to its relationship with Taiwan during his visit to the island. Paraguay is one of only 12 countries worldwide that recognizes Taiwan as a country. Despite having a significant trade relationship with China valued at around $5 billion, Paraguay has no intentions of severing ties with Taiwan in favor of China.
The foreign minister expressed Paraguay's openness to establishing diplomatic, consular, or commercial relations with China without any preconditions. However, he emphasized that Paraguay would not accept any conditions that would require them to end their relations with Taiwan.
China has emerged as a major player in South America and is the largest trading partner for many countries in the region. The economic ties between China and South America have grown substantially, with trade reaching nearly $500 billion as of 2023.
Paraguay's foreign minister highlighted the country's strong commitment to its relationship with Taiwan, emphasizing that it is not influenced by external pressures, including those from the United States. China insists that its diplomatic allies recognize its claim that Taiwan is a part of China, a stance that Paraguay does not support.
During his visit, the foreign minister met with Taiwan's President and discussed various matters, including the signing of a reciprocal visa-free agreement for citizens of both countries. He also expressed Paraguay's interest in exploring investment opportunities and diversifying market access for agricultural products such as beef, soybeans, and corn.
Despite the trend of countries shifting their diplomatic allegiances from Taiwan to China, Paraguay's President has reiterated his commitment to maintaining ties with Taiwan. The foreign minister also mentioned his eagerness to enhance relations with the incoming U.S. Secretary of State and deepen cooperation following discussions with President-elect Donald Trump and his team.
