I refer to “ China’s ban on Taiwanese pineapples leads cross-strait trade into troubled waters ” (March 1). Trade relations between Beijing and Taipei have been thrown into turmoil by the mainland’s ban on Taiwanese pineapples. The consensus view is that the two sides might escalate the situation into a greater trade war, one that would cause deeper losses to Taiwan. This argument is narrowly conceived. Indeed, Taiwan used to rely heavily on the Chinese market, with more than 90 per cent of its pineapple exports going to the mainland. However, Japan has now ordered more than 10,000 tons of Taiwanese pineapples, at least five times more than the 2,144 tons it imported last year. The US and Canada have hailed Taiwan’s “freedom pineapples”. The Chinese ban could well be the catalyst for the greater globalisation of Taiwan’s trade. The ban on Taiwanese pineapples is not the first time that China has exerted trade pressure on other economies. China also plunged the Australian wine industry into crisis by imposing anti-dumping duties , even though it is the “highest price-point market” for these bottled imports. However, Australian citizens and parliamentarians from 19 countries launched a global campaign urging people to buy Australian wine, which led to a 22 per cent increase in Australian wine exports to Europe, offsetting the trade pressure from China. It has also made Australia aware of the consequences of over-reliance on the Chinese market and of the importance of finding more markets. When the news spread that China had banned imports of pineapples from Taiwan, it caught the attention of the international community. Taiwan received pineapple orders from Japan and Australia. More importantly, orders – both international and domestic – have now exceeded the amount exported to mainland China last year. Perhaps unexpectedly, China’s trade action has engendered international cooperation and set Taiwan on the path to export diversification, expanded overseas markets, and closer alliances worldwide. These changes, however bittersweet, are necessary for Taiwan. Elaine Chan, Kwai Chung