China’s ban on Taiwan apple imports triggers island’s first individual WTO complaint against Beijing, sources say

Taiwan has raised the first complaint on its own against China at the World Trade Organization (WTO) since they both joined 20 years ago

The filing came after China’s customs administration stopped clearance of sugar apple and wax apple imports from the island

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China has banned imports of both Taiwanese sugar apples (pictured) and wax apples. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 5:43pm, 4 Nov 2021Updated: 9:23am, 5 Nov 2021

Taiwan raised a trade complaint against China at a World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting late on Wednesday over Beijing’s moves to block sugar apple and wax apple imports from the island, two sources familiar with the matter said.

Taiwan, whose relations with China are at their lowest in decades, had previously threatened to raise the matter at the global trade watchdog.

The fruits in question are sugar apples, also known as sweetsops or custard apples, and wax apples, both Taiwan specialities which do not really resemble apples.

Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture said in a statement on Thursday that its WTO delegation has raised “specific trade concerns” on the issue against China at the WTO committee that oversees compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary measures.

The statement said that China had not responded to its request for bilateral talks on the issue and dialogue at the meeting, but that Taiwan would continue its efforts.

Taiwan has effective controls over its exports and it was unnecessary to halt clearance of the fruit, it said, adding: “China should immediately lift relevant imports controls’.