Iraq–Taiwan relations


Iraq–Taiwan relations are the bilateral relations between the Iraq and Taiwan.

History

To seek full endorsement from the Middle Eastern countries in the United Nation, the Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs George Yeh visited Iraq in November 1957. In return, Abd al-Ilah–the crown prince of Iraq–paid visits to Taiwan in November 1957. In 1958, Iraq severed ties between Taiwan and established ties with the People's Republic of China.
Since then, contacts between Iraq and Taiwan have become limited and largely commercial, where exchanges were sporadic and influenced by regional instability in Iraq as well as Taiwan's constrained international diplomatic space. Economic relations declined significantly during periods of conflict in Iraq and international sanctions in the 1990s and early 2000s.
On 8 August 2004, Iraqi Kurdish regional government Prime Minister Masoud Barzani visited Taiwan.

Economic relations

Economic cooperation constitutes the core of Iraq–Taiwan relations. According to the 1989-2020 trade data of the Directorate General of Customs of the Ministry of Finance, Iraq is Taiwan's 37th largest trade partner. On 9 July 2018, a memorandum of understanding on expanding economic collaboration and related exchanges was signed in Taipei between the Taiwan External Trade Development Council and Iraq's State Company for Iraqi Fairs and Commercial Services. The agreement aimed to promote mutually beneficial trade opportunities and facilitate the organization of exhibitions, trade fairs, and promotional activities in Iraq and across the Middle East.
Following the MoU, TAITRA stated its intention to increase trade promotion efforts in Iraq and neighboring countries, while Iraqi representatives emphasized opportunities beyond the country's oil sector. Iraqi officials highlighted large-scale, state-backed infrastructure projects, including those in construction, electricity supply, information and communication technology, machinery, and transportation. These projects were presented as potential areas for Taiwanese business participation.
In 2023, Iraq exported US$636 million to Taiwan and Taiwan exported US$150 million to Iraq. The main products that Iraq export to Taiwan consist of Crude Petroleum and Refined Petroleum, whereas the main products that Taiwan export to Iraq are Refined Petroleum, Motor Vehicles; parts & accessories, and Electrical Lighting and Signalling Equipment. From 2018 to 2023, exports from Iraq to Taiwan have decreased at an annualized rate of 18.5%, decreasing from US$1.77 billion in 2018 to US$636 million in 2023; whereas exports from Taiwan to Iraq have increased at an annualized rate of 24.5%, growing from US$50.1 million in 2018 to US$150 million in 2023. Trade volumes remain modest compared to Taiwan's relations with other Middle Eastern economies, but both sides have expressed interest in gradual expansion of economic ties.