Taiwan to raise trade concerns with WTO over China import suspension

Published Oct 1, 2021

Tridge summary

The Council of Agriculture (COA) in Taiwan is set to raise 'specific trade concerns' with the World Trade Organization (WTO) about China's decision to halt imports of wax apples and custard apples from Taiwan due to the discovery of mealybugs. The COA has already asked China for an explanation, but so far, none has been provided. If no explanation is given by the end of September, Taiwan plans to file a dispute settlement case with the WTO. The COA has also accused China of providing insufficient evidence to support its claims and has highlighted the steps taken to address the mealybug issue.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Taipei, Oct. 1 (CNA) The Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture (COA) on Friday sent documents to Taiwan's World Trade Organization (WTO) mission as it prepares to file "specific trade concerns" in November over China's move to suspend imports of wax apples and custard apples from Taiwan. COA chief Chen Chi-chung (陳吉仲) told the press that as of Thursday, China had failed to provide Taiwan with an official explanation for the import suspension; as a result, Taiwan will submit its concerns to the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Committee (SPS Committee) under the WTO. The WTO committee oversee the implementation of the "Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures," also known as the SPS agreement, and provides a forum for discussion on animal and plant health and food safety measures affecting trade. On Sept. 19, the Department of Animal and Plant Quarantine under China's General Administration of Customs issued a notice announcing a suspension on the ...

Source: Focustaiwan