China pineapple ban sparks sour rebuke from Taiwan

Taipei slammed a sudden Chinese ban on Taiwanese pineapples, describing the move on Friday as “economic intimidation” and likening it to recent tariffs Beijing slapped on Australian wine.

Tsai ing-wen showing support to local pineapple farmers — Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Taiwan Office of the President via Flickr.

The trade to China — which views the self-ruled democratic island as part of its territory awaiting reunification — is worth around $50 million, and is Taiwan’s largest export market.

Beijing announced the ban Friday morning after saying it “found pests in pineapples imported from Taiwan”, and said the rules were in line with mainland “regulations”.

taiwan pineapple — Photo: Chien Chih-Hung/Tai wan Office of the President via Flickr.

But the island’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party accused Beijing’s of “ambushing” Taiwan with a politically driven ban, which comes in March 1.

“China appears to be duplicating its actions against Australian wine last year to use economic intimidation on Taiwan,” the party said in a statement.

“We hope Taiwanese will support Taiwanese pineapple just like the Australians supported Australian wine,” said presidential spokesman Xavier Chang, adding the government will subsidise farmers.

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President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen tried a piece of pineapple cake, a local delicacy.

Beijing has ramped up pressure on Taiwan since President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016, as she views the island as a de facto sovereign nation and not part of “one China”.

Beijing has a record of deploying punitive levies during disputes with other countries.