Following China’s announcement on the suspension of tariff exemptions for Taiwanese agricultural products, Agriculture Minister Junne-jih Chen (陳駿季)expressed confidence that the impact will be minimal during an interview on Friday.
China announced this week that it will suspend tariff exemptions for 34 fruit, vegetable, and aquatic products imported from Taiwan starting September 25. Minister Chen clarified that while the removal of tariff exemptions will result in an average tariff of about 15%, this does not equate to a ban on Taiwanese products. He said that Taiwan is not giving up on the Chinese market and he is confident that this change can be managed effectively through market segmentation, provided that product quality is maintained. Chen added that he believes the associated risks can be controlled and that the overall impact will be minimal.
Chen also emphasized that the ministry will actively promote Taiwan's high-quality agricultural products in markets outside of China. The ministry aims to better position Taiwan’s fresh and processed products while strengthening connections between domestic and international channels. This strategy includes enhancing the visibility of agricultural products through targeted marketing efforts, ensuring that Taiwan continues to thrive despite the changes in trade with China.