Foreign
Seeking trade deals, Taiwan to ease curbs on United States pork, beef imports
Tsai Ing-wen
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said on Friday his government will ease restrictions on the import of United States pork and beef and seek to negotiate trade deals with the United States and other economies.
Speaking at the Office of the President, Tsai said the trade conflict between the United States and China and the Covid-19 pandemic had “brought major structural changes to the world economy and accelerated reorganization of global supply chains.”
Citing Taiwan’s success in controlling the pandemic, Tsai said that “we need to grasp this strategic opportunity to deepen cooperation” with the United States and other economies.
Tsai said the government will set standards for the use of the food additive ractopamine in pork products, which is currently banned for use by Taiwan pork farmers.
The president added that Taiwan will also open its market to United States beef from cattle, but only from animals aged over 30 months out of concern for mad-cow disease.
However, Tsai vowed that the government “will defend food safety and health” and establish a fund worth 340 million United States dollars to protect the interests and improve the competitiveness of Taiwan’s pork farmers.
She added that imported pork will have at most a 10 per cent market share.
Tsai denied any link between the timing of the decision and the upcoming United States presidential election.
In a statement, the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei applauded the Tsai administration for “adopting international standards and taking a scientific approach” and said it hopes the United States would show a “positive response.”
Edited By: Emmanuel Yashim (NAN)
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