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TAIPEI: Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), began lobbying on Sunday (September 6) for a referendum to block easing of restrictions on pork imports from Washington.
President Tsai Ing-wen announced last month that, starting on January 1, the government would allow US pork containing ractopamine, an additive that improves leanness, and US beef older than 30 months.
Taiwan has long sought a free trade agreement with the United States, its most important supporter on the international stage, but Washington has complained about access barriers for US pork and beef.
KMT Chairman Johnny Chiang, elected in March to help turn the party’s fortunes after a defeat in the January presidential and parliamentary elections, said the party would start collecting signatures for a referendum to be held next August.
“Starting next weekend, September 12, we will be everywhere, obtaining signatures from counties and cities, showing the will of the people through concrete actions,” he said at the party’s annual conference in Taipei.
The KMT has presented its opposition to pork imports as a food safety issue, as Taiwan has been rocked by several security scandals in recent years, noting that ractopamine is banned in major markets such as the Union. European.
The ruling Tsai Democratic Progressive Party has also strongly opposed ractopamine.
The government has defended the easing of pork imports, saying they are aligning Taiwan with international standards and that the decision will boost ties between Taiwan and the United States.
Washington welcomed the move.
Taiwan and the United States are expected to launch high-level economic talks this month in what could be a precursor to a broad free trade agreement.
The KMT will need to collect around 200,000 signatures for the referendum to pass and vote.
Chiang has been trying to change the fortunes of the party, which traditionally favors close ties with China.
Beijing claims Taiwan as China’s sovereign territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control.
