Richard Sanders, Tokyo
Panamanian lawmaker Jhonathan Vega has urged Taiwan to set up a trade office in Panama, saying it would deepen bilateral relations and expand economic cooperation as the two sides quietly rebuild informal links years after Panama switched diplomatic recognition to China.
Speaking to Taiwan’s Central News Agency on the sidelines of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China summit in The Hague on November 5-6, Vega said a Taiwanese trade office would create a practical channel for closer exchanges, especially in commerce and job creation. He also pointed to the Panama Canal’s importance as a major international trade hub and a key point of connection between countries.
Panama broke formal ties with Taiwan in 2017 when it recognized Beijing. No Panamanian parliamentary groups visited Taiwan in the years that followed until November 2025. Lawmakers have since made two further trips—in February and July 2026—bringing the total to three visits in less than a year, a development some see as a sign of gradually warming relations.
Vega noted that support for closer engagement with Taiwan has long existed among Central American legislators. He cited Taiwan’s democratic system, leadership, and technological strengths—particularly in semiconductors—as reasons for interest within Panama’s National Assembly. In September, the assembly formed a cross-party group of 50 of its 71 members to promote exchanges with Taiwan’s legislature.
On the question of mutual representative offices, Vega said the decision lies with the executive branch. Although President José Raúl Mulino has expressed reservations, Vega believes the situation could shift, given that trade between the two sides continues. He was part of the Panamanian delegation that visited Taiwan in November 2025 and dismissed reports of Chinese pressure over the trip, stressing that Panama is a democracy that makes its own decisions about overseas visits.
Vega thanked Taiwan for the invitation, saying the visit allowed him to learn about the country and identify development experiences that Panama could adapt.
