Legislature President Su Jia-chyuan has cautioned that there will be no honeymoon period for the incoming Tsai Ing-wen administration. He said the legislative and executive branches will have to work together to meet the public’s expectations.
Su was speaking after a closed-door meeting between legislative leaders and members of the incoming Cabinet. The new Cabinet will be sworn in on May 20.
After the meeting, incoming Premier Lin Chuan was asked about media reports on the new government’s stance towards American pork imports. Lin said it would be unwise to rule anything out before going to the negotiating table.
"In trade talks, it’s normal for many topics to be discussed together and there are gains and losses. The best trade talks are those where you don’t make our bottom line or thinking public before you start. That’s not good for negotiating," Lin said.
Taiwan currently bans imports of American pork containing ractopamine, which promotes leanness. The additive is seen as a public health concern and local pig farmers also feel under threat from a potential opening. The issue has become a sticking point in Taiwan-US trade talks.