The third round of negotiations on an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China have ended. There are, however, a few details which warrant a closer look.
First, the quality of items on the “early harvest” list, that is the list of goods and services to be subject to immediate tariff concessions or exemptions which are expected to form the backbone of the proposed deal, have to be carefully considered. About 500 items from Taiwan will be offered tariff exemptions or reductions when they enter China, while about 200 Chinese products will enjoy similar concessions here. In terms of numbers, this does look like a good deal for Taiwan. However, the deal might not be as good as it first appears.
For example, petrochemical products and machine tools are not listed. It is worth noting that President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) specifically mentioned the inclusion of machine tools on the “early harvest” list during the ECFA debate with Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) in April.
Second, by excluding automobile industry products, Beijing is acting in bad faith. If China wanted to, it could have given Ma this concession to help him gain public support, invaluable for the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) chances in the year-end special municipality elections. Ma would do well to bear in mind the extent to which his destiny lies in China’s hands.
Third, the announcement on the increase of items on the “early harvest” list (from 300 to 500) was only made the day before the proposed ECFA referendum was rejected. Clearly, if the public wants to protect Taiwan’s interests it should stop relying on Ma and his constant pandering to Beijing and start making its views known. This is one reason why people should attend Saturday’s rally.
Fourth, the power of the people should not be underestimated. Although the government deigns to notice individual protests, these protests will be part of the historical record and when they reach critical mass, the Ma administration’s days will be numbered.
Economics is not the only thing at stake here: There are also a number of principles that we must not forget. These include sovereignty (the WTO designates Taiwan the “separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.” The appellation used in the ECFA should not undermine our sovereignty); internationalization (this treaty should concede that Taiwan is entitled to sign any free-trade agreement [FTA] with any country); transparency (disclosure of information); and democracy (the signing of an ECFA with China should be decided by the people through a referendum). These principles protect Taiwan’s sovereignty and are universal values supported by all democracies.
Premier Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) said that Taiwan would not sign an ECFA with China if less than 60 percent of the public supported it. Ma also vowed that an ECFA would not be signed if China does not accept Taiwan can sign FTAs with other countries. Both men now seem certain to sign an ECFA despite China opposing Taiwan signing FTAs with other countries.
Taiwan’s biggest opposition party, the DPP, should issue a statement denouncing the Taiwan government and notifying the Chinese government that Ma’s poor popularity ratings disqualify him from representing the nation. Furthermore, all treaties the government signs should first be examined by the people.
The next government is going to find it very difficult to clean up the mess created by this “early harvest” list. Once the DPP is back in power it must take a very close look at all such treaties and decide whether they should be implemented or not.
Paul Lin is a political commentator based in Taipei.
TRANSLATED BY TAIJING WU
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