TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Executive Yuan claimed on Monday (Oct. 9) that China's decision to extend its trade barrier investigation into Taiwan reveals political motives intending economic coercion to interfere with elections.
The move contradicts World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, the Executive Yuan added in response to China's Department of Commerce announcement earlier that day to extend the ongoing trade investigation into Taiwan until January 12, 2024 — a day before the 2024 elections.
China started its trade barrier investigation into Taiwan on April 12, but Taiwan's Executive Yuan insists it has not violated any WTO rules. It further alleged China's process is opaque and discriminatory, thus breaching WTO regulations.
With this latest extension of the investigation date to January 12, 2023, Taiwan's Executive Yuan sees it as further proof of China's political agenda, openly defying the WTO's provisions.
The Executive Yuan urged Beijing to cease politicizing trade issues and insisted disputes should be managed according to WTO rules.
The Mainland Affairs Council concurred, deeming China's actions explicitly linked to Taiwan's presidential elections and stressed solving trade issues should comply with WTO regulations.