January 10, 2024
The Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China announced on January 9 that it was considering expanding the termination of tariff reduction arrangements on early-harvest products listed under the Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) expresses its strong displeasure with and condemnation of China’s blatant attempt to employ economic coercion to interfere in Taiwan’s elections.
Taiwan and China are both members of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Trade issues between the two sides should be handled through WTO mechanisms and in accordance with international standards. However, recently China has unilaterally launched a trade barrier investigation, terminated tariff reductions on a number of Taiwanese imports under ECFA, and explored eliminating the preferential tariff treatment of even more products. By weaponizing trade, China continues to pressure Taiwan, seeking to influence and undermine Taiwan’s democratic elections to achieve political objectives. MOFA strongly protests and condemns China’s crude and flagrant attempts at election interference and calls on the international community to jointly express its solemn concern.
China’s repeated attempts to utilize economic coercion to interfere in Taiwan’s elections are detrimental to normal cross-strait economic and trade exchanges and cooperation. These actions have made Taiwanese people and industries understand that China is not a stable market to operate in. The international community should heed the great risks involved in economic engagement with China and emphasize the importance of democratic countries accelerating economic de-risking.
China’s audacious attempts to manipulate Taiwan’s election outcomes are a reflection of the expansionist ambitions of China’s authoritarian government. This year, a number of general elections will be held across the globe. MOFA urges all countries to pay special attention to China’s efforts to use economic coercion against Taiwan and to jointly respond and counter such intimidation.