U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said that Taiwan's representative at a regional summit spoke to him about a possible trade deal.
Pence on Saturday met with Morris Chang, who is leading the island's delegation at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Papua New Guinea. APEC is the only major regional forum that includes Taiwan as a member.
"The conversation with them was about economics," Pence said. "They were strong supporters of TPP and they made a case for being considered for a free trade agreement. And I assured them we would carry back that ask."