Taiwan is turning its temporary trade talks office into a permanent unit with more staff and its own funding, a sign the government expects tough trade negotiations to keep coming.

• The Executive Yuan's Office of Trade Negotiations was a temporary setup and has now been made permanent.
• Six new permanent civil servant posts were approved this year and six more next year, bringing the official headcount to 18.
• Funding will move from the economics ministry to the Cabinet's own budget starting next year.
• Officials say the office could grow to about 60 people if borrowed staff stay and new hires come through.
• Borrowing staff from other agencies made it hard to keep talent, since people had to return to their home agency to get promoted.

Outlook: The top negotiator post is still vacant and no decision has been made on who will fill it.