The Executive Yuan has called for China to enter discussions within the WTO framework following Beijing's cessation of tariff exemptions on a range of Taiwanese agricultural products. The Chinese Ministry of Finance disclosed the termination of exemptions for 34 items, including fresh fruit, vegetables, and aquatic goods, attributing the decision to Taiwan's "unilateral and discriminatory restrictions and measures" which purportedly hinder cross-strait economic collaboration.
Michelle Lee, a spokesperson for the Cabinet, expressed strong opposition to what she termed "economic coercion" by China against Taiwan since 2021, highlighting China's actions as contrary to WTO norms. Lee advocated for dialogue over confrontation within the WTO context. Concurrently, the Mainland Affairs Council criticized China's move as "economic coercion," suggesting it weaponizes trade to the detriment of agricultural stakeholders across the Taiwan Strait and impedes the development of bilateral relations.
The Ministry of Agriculture noted the manageable impact of this policy shift, mentioning previous unilateral suspensions by China of certain Taiwanese fruit imports and highlighting the hurdles Taiwanese exporters face in the Chinese market, including high marketing costs and lengthy customs processes. Chen Junne-jih, the Minister of Agriculture, pointed out that the 34 items now excluded from tariff exemptions were originally listed in 2005 and 2007, affecting products like pomeloes and atemoyas.
Despite these challenges, the ministry underscored efforts to diversify Taiwan's agricultural export markets, with successful expansions into Australia, New Zealand, and Japan for various fruits. This diversification strategy has contributed to a decrease in the proportion of Taiwan's agricultural exports to China, demonstrating a shift towards broader international markets.
Source: Taipei Times