China announced the immediate suspension of Taiwan mango imports on Monday. According to China's Taiwan Affairs Office, the detection of citrus mealybugs in recent shipments pose a serious threat to China’s agricultural and ecological environment. This isn’t the first time China suspended the import of Taiwanese products amid continuing cross-strait tensions.

Taiwan Institute of Economic Research’s Dr. Darson Chiu said Taiwan’s agriculture ministry should first confirm whether the implemented quality control is up to standard. If there are no issues, Chiu infers that China is imposing trade restrictions to put pressure on Taiwan.

Chiu observed that the items China listed are not pressing necessities for China’s economy amidst recent discussions on the termination of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), which is a preferential trade agreement between Taiwan and China. The products include petrochemicals, machinery, textiles among others, making them easily replaceable by other markets. 

Chiu speculated that additional restrictions towards Taiwan’s products uncritical to China’s economic development may follow. In comparison to the imports of information and communications technology products which increase year by year, China considers Taiwanese agricultural and fishery products low priority.  

Chiu suggested that Taiwan adopt the strategy of making Taiwanese products irreplaceable. Since Taiwan produce is well known for its quality, Chiu recommended the agriculture ministry to diversify risk by focusing on the new southbound markets.