Premier Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) yesterday said the government would not sign any agreements with the US under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) platform that are unfavorable for the country.
Following a three-year hiatus over a US beef import dispute, Taiwan and the US have announced that they are set to resume bilateral talks on economic issues under the TIFA.
Wu told the legislature that the US had expressed its intention to resume TIFA talks after Taiwan signed the Economic Cooperative Framework Agreement (ECFA) with China in June.
“There are lots of factors to be considered in TIFA talks. [Any deal] should complement Taiwan and not have too many negatives,” Wu said.
In its talks with the US, the administration would not compromise on the principle that characterized negotiations with China on the ECFA — that is, of “putting Taiwan first and for the benefit of its people,” Wu said.
If that principle is not upheld, the government would rather TIFA talks concluded without any agreement, Wu said.
“The Taiwan-US TIFA talks involve not only the beef issue, but also [US intentions] to further open Taiwan’s market to its pork products and other agricultural products, which overlap with locally grown products,” Wu said.
One point of contention that could arise during negotiations is whether US pork contains the veterinary drug ractopamine, a substance that has been banned in Taiwan since 2006.
In 2007, two US shipments of pork were found to contain the banned substance and was rejected by health authorities. After the government indicated the ban could be lifted, large protests by swine farmers were held in Taipei, forcing the government to confirm that the ban would remain in place.
A US delegation led by US Assistant Trade Representative for China Affairs Claire Reade visited Taiwan on Sept. 28 and Sept. 29.
Additional reporting by Staff Writer
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