Mainland China could delay complex trade probe to eve of Taiwan election

Name: Taiwan’s antique jade sector loses its lustre amid cross-strait tensions and weak post-Covid economy
Uploaded: 2023-10-09T10:00:41.000Z
Duration: 3 min 20 s
Description: Taiwan’s antique jade sector loses its lustre amid cross-strait tensions and weak post-Covid economy

The findings of an investigation into the island’s trade practices could be held until right before next year’s presidential contest

Timing chosen to have greatest possible effect without tainting run-up period, analysts said

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Taiwan Vice President and Chairman of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) William Lai gestures during his speech at the DPP headquarters in Taipei on April 12, 2023. The outcome of mainland China’s trade investigation could have an effect on the island’s upcoming presidential election, where Lai is a candidate. Photo: AFP

Ralph Jennings

Published: 6:00pm, 9 Oct 2023Updated: 9:35am, 10 Oct 2023

Mainland China’s Ministry of Commerce has extended its timeline for a ruling on a Taiwan trade barrier investigation to as late as one day before the island’s presidential election next year – setting up a potential new hurdle in cross-strait relations.

Investigators will take until January 12 to wrap up “owing to the case’s complexity”, the ministry said in a statement on Monday. The earliest possible date for findings was October 12, half a year after the probe began.

The ministry is looking into Taiwan’s measures relating to the import of 2,455 textile, mineral and agricultural products from the mainland.

Taiwan’s presidential election is expected to chart future ties following seven years of increased tension that have seen an upswing in mainland military activity in waters near the island.

Mainland China sees self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway territory that must be united with the mainland, by force, if needed.

In the maximal outcome, Beijing could suspend all or parts of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) that includes an 806-item list of goods approved for tariff reductions, analysts have said. Some items covered in the mainland’s probe are on that list.

03:20

Taiwan’s antique jade sector loses its lustre amid cross-strait tensions and weak post-Covid economy

“It has always had an undertone of a political measure,” said Joanna Lei, chief executive of the Chunghua 21st Century think tank in Taiwan. “The days are very carefully orchestrated.”

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