TLTP
\nTAIPEI
\nExport-dependent Taiwan has finally greenlighted imports of American pork and beef, a move that could open up Taiwan-US free trade talks. However, it is unclear how Beijing will react to such a pact, amid tension with Washington.
\nThe suspension of the ban on imports of US pork containing ractopamine \u2013 an animal feed additive widely used in American livestock but banned in over 160 countries \u2013 as well as US beef from cattle older than 30 months, was announced by Taiwan\u2019s President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday.
\nSpeaking at the presidential office in Taipei, she said that this \u201ccrucial step\u201d could boost Taiwan-US ties.
\nTaiwan used to have a zero-tolerance policy for the leanness enhancer ractopamine and introduced the limits on US pork back in 2006, despite US insistence on the safety of the drug. Beef shipments were restricted even earlier, in 2003, due to concerns over mad cow disease.
\nThe limits on imports of US agricultural products have long been one of the main hurdles for a comprehensive trade agreement between Taipei and Washington. The talks have stalled for more than a decade.
\n\u201cWe know that there is still some way to go between now and signing a trade agreement,\u201d Tsai said. \u201cBut prior to trade discussions, we must rationalize trade regulations to the same international standards and open up to other countries for mutual benefit.\u201d
\nTaiwan was the US\u2019 14th biggest export market last year, with Taiwan-US trade standing at $85.5 billion. While the self-governed island has long been seeking US support in its independence bid, Beijing has repeatedly decried Washington\u2019s attempts to approach Taiwan, which it considers Chinese territory.
\nEarlier this month, the Chinese government warned the US against attempts to meddle in Taiwanese affairs, after US Health Secretary Alex Azar visited the island, becoming the highest-ranking American official to come there on an official trip.
\n\u201cOn issues involving China\u2019s core interests \u2026 the US must not harbor illusions. Those who play with fire will get burned,\u201d Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said, commenting on the US official\u2019s trip that came amid already heightened tensions between the two superpowers.
\nThe US, like most countries, has no official relations with Taiwan, but Washington provoked anger in Beijing with a recent arms deal. Last month, China imposed sanctions on the main contractor of this arms sale, US firm Lockheed Martin.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
TLTP TAIPEI Export-dependent Taiwan has finally greenlighted imports of American pork and beef, a move that could open up Taiwan-US free trade talks. However, it is unclear how Beijing will react to such a pact, amid tension with Washington. The suspension of the ban on imports of US pork containing ractopamine \u2013 an animal feed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-141360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-business"],"yoast_head":"\n