Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office

Regarding the yet-to-be-concluded tariff negotiations with the US, a Taiwan agricultural delegation recently signed a letter of intent with US businesses, pledging to purchase more than $10 billion worth of American farm products over four years. Public opinion on the island criticized the Lai Ching-te administration for offering this as a "tribute" to the US, warning it would further hollow out Taiwan. 

In response to this, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday lashed out at the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for bowing to US economic bullying, making endless concessions and pandering to Washington. 

The spokesperson said it is well known that thanks to the hard work of local farmers and fishermen, Taiwan already produces abundant agricultural products. Large-scale imports of US farm goods will inevitably disrupt the local market, depress prices, undermine sales and erode the incomes of Taiwan's farmers and fishermen.

The spokesperson added that such "kowtowing to the US at the expense of Taiwan" would turn the island into a dumping ground for American farm products, severely damaging the development of Taiwan's agricultural and fisheries sectors.

The spokesperson noted that an increasing number of facts have made it clear to people in Taiwan island that the US always puts its own interests first. By currying favor with Washington at the expense of public well-being and the island's economic prospects, the DPP authorities are steering Taiwan toward the inevitable outcome of being thoroughly exploited by the US, the spokesperson said.

Global Times