Mainland China launches probe into Taiwan’s ‘trade barriers’ affecting 2,400 products
- China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday it had launched a ‘trade barrier investigation’ into Taiwan’s restrictive measures against 2,455 mainland products
- The People’s Liberation Army ended three days of drills near Taiwan on Monday after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
Mainland China will look into Taiwan’s restrictive measures against the import of over 2,400 mainland products after launching a “trade barrier investigation”, a rare move which will further complicate cross-strait relations ahead of a pivotal presidential election in Taipei.
The mainland’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Wednesday that it would review complaints by three mainland Chinese trade groups spanning agricultural goods, textiles and mineral-chemical products as “the Taiwan region is working on and implementing measures to ban imports of mainland products”.
“The probe should be concluded by October 12, 2023. Under special circumstances, it can be extended to January 12, 2024,” the ministry added.
Taiwan will hold its next presidential election on January 13, the Central Election Commission confirmed last month.
I don’t think anybody should be surprised following the military exercises around the island and in the [Taiwan] Strait
“I don’t think anybody should be surprised following the military exercises around the island and in the [Taiwan] Strait,” said Raymond Wu, president and CEO of the Taipei-based e-telligence Research and Consulting Group.
“You’re bound to get more pressure coming out of Beijing on Taiwan.”