Taiwan raises concerns over Beijing's use of farm trade as political leverage
Taipei, June 16
China has been reported to have used agricultural trade agreements announced during the recent Straits Forum to increase Taiwan's economic dependence on the mainland and create political leverage over Taiwanese producers, the Taiwan Times reported, citing an official.
At the Straits Forum in Xiamen, Chinese officials unveiled agreements to purchase agricultural and fishery products from several Taiwan counties governed by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT). The deals involve products such as atemoyas, pomeloes, tea and grouper from Taitung, Yunlin and Nantou counties. Taitung County Commissioner Yao Ching-ling participated in the event via video link after Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council barred her from attending in person, according to the Taipei Times
A Taiwanese government official familiar with Beijing's "united front" operations warned that the agreements could expose farmers and fishers to significant political and economic risks. The official argued that China has previously encouraged dependence on its market before using trade restrictions as a political tool, the Taipei Times reported.
The Taipei Times reported that the concerns stem from a series of import bans imposed by Beijing on Taiwanese agricultural products in recent years. China halted imports of Taiwanese pineapples in 2021, later extending restrictions to wax apples and atemoyas. In 2022, imports of grouper and several citrus products were also suspended, disrupting exports and affecting producers across Taiwan.
Although Beijing has renewed interest in purchasing goods from KMT-led countries, officials noted that access to the Chinese market remains tightly controlled. Only selected products from approved farms are currently permitted to enter China. Taiwanese authorities say Beijing often presents such purchases as gestures of goodwill while maintaining extensive restrictions behind the scenes, the Taipei Times reported.
The official further alleged that Chinese authorities use food registration requirements and political considerations to determine which Taiwanese exporters gain market access, reported the Taiwan Times.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Classic Chinese strategy—"united front" through the stomach 😅. First create dependency, then squeeze. We see this in our own neighborhood: Sri Lanka, Nepal. Taiwan should diversify its export markets, just like we're trying to reduce reliance on Chinese APIs. But for the farmers sitting with pomeloes and grouper, a sale today is better than no sale. Tough position for Taipei.
As an Indian, I see both sides. China's agricultural market is massive, and for small Taiwanese farmers, it's hard to ignore. But the selective purchases from KMT-led counties? That's textbook political engineering—rewarding loyalists, punishing dissenters. India faced similar tactics when China blocked our sugar exports in 2020. Taiwan needs a neutral, rules-based trade framework, not patronage.
I worry about our Indian farmers too when I read this. The same "goodwill" purchases—then sudden bans—could happen to our agri exports. Remember when China stopped importing our rapeseed meal? The Taiwan situation shows how trade is never just trade with Beijing. It's always political. Smart move by Taipei to warn their producers, but talk is cheap when livelihoods are at stake.
The Straits Forum has always been a stage for China to project "peaceful reunification." Buying fish and fruit is the soft side—but the hard side is the import bans that came before. For Taiwan farmers, it's a gamble: sell to China now, but risk losing other markets or facing future bans. India's approach of multilateralism and trade diversification is a better long-term bet.
K We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.