the Office of the US Trade Representative.

The ministry says the Office of the United States Trade Representative is busy with other issues and holding TIFA talks with Taiwan is not one of its top priorities.

However, officials say Taipei and Washington are continuing to exchange views on bilateral trade issues via the existing TIFA platform.

The last round of TIFA talks was held in Sep. 2016.

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Uruguay has suspended its visa-free treatment for Republic of China (ROC) passport holders.

The suspension comes less than two months after Uruguay included Taiwan in its visa-waiver program.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the South American country halted the preferential treatment because its online e-visa application system is still under construction.

The move means Taiwanese travelers to Uruguay will have to apply for a visa at theUruguayan embassy in Japan.

Uruguay agreed to include Taiwan in its visa program for visits of up to 90 days on Oct. 19.

The foreign ministry says Taiwan's representative office in Argentina, which is responsible for Uruguayan affairs, will monitor the situation and seek to have the visa-free status reinstated as soon as possible.

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The Din Tai Fung restaurant chain has opened its first European store in London.

The restaurant is located in the city's Covent Garden area and can seat 250 people.

The London site also features a cocktail bar serving Taiwanese drinks, including bubble milk tea.

Today, Representative Lin gave a speech and cut the ribbon at the grand opening ceremony for #Taiwan restaurant Din Tai Fung's #UK branch in #London, with @BorisJohnson and Lord Faulkner in attendance. pic.twitter.com/U8k9xqMEKs — Taiwan in