Jim Nickel, Executive Director of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei

Discover Canada in Taiwan

Welcome to the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei (CTOT).

In recent decades, Canada and Taiwan have built a close relationship based on a wide range of shared values, not least of which are respect for democracy and human rights. Our team is committed to growing our strong bilateral commercial and cultural ties as well as our longstanding people-to-people relations.

People-to-people linkages were established in 1871 with the arrival of Canadian Presbyterian missionary Dr. George Leslie Mackay. Since then, our relationship has grown enormously. Young Taiwanese are traveling to Canada to study at some of the best schools in the world. Others pursue unique experiences living and working in Canada as part of International Experience Canada, our youth mobility program. Meanwhile, Canadian and Taiwanese scientists collaborate on world-class research, our artists share their rich cultural heritage, and indigenous peoples continue their long history of engagement.

Taiwan is now Canada’s 12th-largest trading partner and fifth-largest in Asia, a relationship that generates trade worth billions of dollars every year. We work hard to promote bilateral trade and investment. Related recent developments include: the Avoidance of Double Taxation Arrangement that came into force in 2017, the launch of Air Canada non-stop flights between Vancouver and Taipei in June 2017, as well as the lifting of visa requirements for Taiwanese passport-holders in 2010. The recently announced plan to work towards a Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Arrangement also signals the importance of our two-way investments.

Meanwhile, Canadian technology is present everywhere in Taiwan. Examples include: the mammoth damper that keeps Taipei 101 steady during typhoons and earthquakes, Bombardier trains that carry thousands of Taipei commuters every day on the Neihu MRT line, and Canadian-made helicopters and planes that transport passengers to Taiwan’s remote islands. Canada’s pioneering work in artificial intelligence and clean technology offers great potential for expanding our cooperation. We welcome the role that the Canadian company Northland Power will play in Taiwan’s sustainable economy with their wind power expertise.

While Canadians enjoy Taiwan’s high-tech products and food items, Taiwanese consumers are increasingly buying Canadian high-quality agri-food exports such as lobster, beef, pork, Icewine, and craft beer. And then there is Roots clothing – a classic Canadian brand – which is seen everywhere on the streets of Taipei alongside Herschel backpacks and Lululemon athletic wear.

Serving and protecting Canadians abroad is a priority for our office. Our consular section is one of Canada’s 5 busiest world-wide and committed to serving the 50,000 Canadians living in Taiwan.

Whether you are Canadian or Taiwanese, whether you are interested in business or pleasure, I invite you to explore our website and Facebook page and discover the growing presence of Canada in Taiwan.