It seems that maintaining healthy diplomatic and political relations between governments is not always necessary for trade between two nations to prosper. One example is the bilateral trade between Taiwan and Costa Rica, which despite the fact that it is the only country in Central America to have broken political links with the Asian island, remains its main trading partner in the region.

Ticotimes.net reports that "In 2013, trade between Taiwan and Costa Rica reached $644 million, according to figures from the island's Bureau of Foreign Trade. Costa Ricans bought $126 million in electronics, computer equipment and other products 'Made in Taiwan', while Costa Rican sales to the island, mainly of coffee, were worth $539 million."

In 2012, Taiwan's trade with Panama, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras - with whom it has free trade agreements totaled $778 million, an increase of 107% compared to 2003.

"...Guatemala ... mainly imported petrochemicals, plastics, textiles and motorcycle parts from Taiwan. In exchange it exports sugar cane, coffee, seafood and textiles. The case of Honduras is similar, which also imports Taiwanese steel and auto parts and exports frozen beef. "

Source: ticotimes.net

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