China and Taiwan may have a tenuous relationship, but a possible trade agreement worth billions could cement the closest formal ties between them since 1949. Negotiations began recently over the so-called Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, which could cut tariffs on hundreds of products traded between the two countries and ease restrictions on investing in one another's companies. Both governments want a deal by summer, but Taiwanese fears of job losses could derail the talks.
A version of this article appeared in the March 2010 issue of Fast Company magazine.
