Page 12 - 2018 Annual Report Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan

10 Collective Construction The Treasure Island of Taiwan Unit 1: The International and Domestic Agricultural Situations and Major Policy Goals for 2018 1. The International Agricultural Situation In recent years agriculture across the globe has faced major challenges such as climate change and food security. Major international organizations and countries worldwide have continued to promote sustainable agriculture, eco-friendly cultivation, the maintenance of food security, and adjustments to cope with climate change. The World Trade Organization (WTO) is currently actively promoting reform, strongly led by major countries such as the US. In terms of regional economic agreements, the “Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacic Partnership,” with 11 signatory countries led by Japan, came into effect on December 30, 2018; the EU and Japan signed an “Economic Partnership Agreement” which will take effect in February of 2019; and the US, Mexico, and Canada signed the “United States-Mexico- Canada Agreement,” an update of the North American Free Trade Agreement, in November of 2018. In addition, negotiations are continuing on the “Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership” between the US and Europe as well as on the “Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.”