Economic talks between Taipei and Washington could begin by the end of the year, Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua has said.

Wang told the media on Wednesday that the Economic and Commercial Dialogue, announced by the United States and Taiwan this week, would address trade cooperation in areas such as semiconductors and 5G network development.

The talks will be led by energy and economic undersecretary Keith Krach on the U.S. side and will mark a breakthrough in the relationship between Washington and Taipei.

While the meeting was originally planned to be held virtually, Krach was considering visiting the self-ruled island in person, Apple Daily Taiwan reported. If the trip goes ahead, Krach would be the second high-level U.S. official to visit the territory this year, following health minister Alex Azar’s trip last month.

Whether online or in person, the meeting is likely to occur before the U.S. presidential election in November, according to Apple Daily Taiwan.

The talks and Krach’s potential visit will deal another blow to already tense Sino-U.S. relations. China has opposed Western politicians’ visits to Taiwan, which it claims sovereignty of. The Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday that Czech senate speaker Milos Vystrcil would “pay a heavy price” for his current visit to Taiwan.

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