The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) yesterday protested what it called China’s "economic oppression" against Taiwan, after the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said earlier in the day that it is considering possible countermeasures because Taiwan has failed to remove trade barriers against goods from China.
In a statement, the MAC expressed regret over any such measures but said the government will continue its efforts to minimize any adverse effects they may cause.
The ministry said earlier yesterday that China is studying further trade measures against Taiwan.
Photo: EPA-EFE
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has not taken any practical measures to lift "trade restrictions" on China, it said in a statement on its official Web site.
"At present, relevant departments are studying further measures based on the conclusions of the investigation into trade barriers from Taiwan” against China, it added.
On Thursday in an address marking Double Ten National Day, President William Lai (賴清德) said that the People’s Republic of China had no right to represent Taiwan, but that the nation was willing to work with Beijing to combat challenges such as climate change, striking a firm and conciliatory tone, but drawing anger from China.
The announcement from the ministry could portend tariffs or other forms of economic pressure against Taiwan in the near future.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, which on Thursday said Lai’s speech promoted "separatist ideas" and incited confrontation, responded to the announcement by saying the fundamental reason behind the trade dispute was the "DPP authorities’ stubborn adherence to the stance of Taiwan independence."
"The political basis makes it difficult for cross-strait trade disputes to be resolved through negotiation," the office said.
In May, China reinstated tariffs on 134 items it imports from Taiwan, after the Chinese Ministry of Finance said that it would suspend concessions on the items under a trade deal because Taiwan had not reciprocated.
The Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement between Taiwan and China was initially signed in 2010, and Taiwanese officials had previously told reporters that China was likely to pressure Lai by ending some of the preferential trading terms within it.
Additional reporting by CNA
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