China to suspend tariff exemptions on Taiwanese products over discriminatory restrictions on Chinese goods
China says it will suspend tariff exemptions on 34 products from Taiwan, including fruits, vegetables and marine products.
The Chinese government announced on Wednesday that the suspension would start on September 25.
It cites that Taiwan is unilaterally imposing discriminatory restrictions on products from China and impeding cross-strait economic cooperation.
The Taiwan Affairs Office of China’s State Council said it hopes that compatriots including farmers and fishers of Taiwan recognize that Taiwan’s “pro-independence” stance promoted by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party is dangerous and harmful.
China labels Taiwan President Lai Ching-te a separatist and apparently wants to keep his administration in check.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, which handles policies on China, expressed regret, saying the measure leads to resentment among Taiwan’s farmers, fishers and the general public, and would not benefit the long-term development of cross-strait ties.
In Taiwan, many fruit farmers who have benefitted from China’s tariff exemptions are based in southern Taiwan, a stronghold of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. China is apparently trying to ramp up pressure on the Lai administration through the latest move.
