Three U.S. congressmen urged the U.S. government Wednesday to negotiate a free trade agreement with Taiwan in light of the fact that China is ready to sign a trade liberalization pact with Taiwan. In a seminar organized by the Washington-based pro-Taiwan group, Formosan Association of Public Affairs, U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said a free trade pact with Taiwan will increase U.S. exports to Taiwan by 16 percent, citing a study by the United States International Trade Commission. Taiwan's government hopes to sign a trade liberalization agreement with China - called the economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) - by June, saying it is crucial for helping Taiwan avoid economic isolation. The opposition Democratic Progressive Party, however, has warned that the agreement could make Taiwan too dependent on China, and hurt Taiwan's workers and industries. Branding ECFA as a Trojan horse which led to the fall of Troy according to Greek legend, the congressman said China is expanding its presence throughout the whole of Asia, and Washington should not sit on its hands while watching China's rising dominance in the Asia-Pacific region. Rep. Robert Andrews dismissed worries that Washington would raise eyebrows in Beijing by negotiating a free trade pact with Taiwan, asking why the U.S. should care so much about what Beijing thinks. Andrews said he is seeking sponsorship from other congressmen for an appeal for the U.S. administration to start free trade negotiations with Taiwan. Rep. Scott Garrett echoed Andrews' view, urging his congressional colleagues to sponsor the appeal in droves to show their determination. However, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Randall Schriver said he was not optimistic about a free trade pact between the U.S. and Taiwan for the time being, citing the reluctance of the U.S. Democratic administration to push for one. He suggested instead the resumption of talks with Taiwan under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, which was suspended after Taiwan reneged on a promise to allow previously banned U.S. ground beef and offal to be imported to the island. John Tkacik, a fomer State Department official, said the problem with the trade deal between Taiwan and China is the lack of transparency in negotiations. Citing the list of industries to enjoy the earlier tariff reduction privileges as an example, Tkacik pointed out that the list has still not been published even though the pact is set to be inked in June. Taiwan's government has said the full list cannot be revealed as doing so would jeopardize Taiwan's ability to negotiate a deal that is favorable to Taiwan. The government has said it will avoid placing on the list local industries that would need time to adjust to competition from China. 