Taiwan Weekly is a newsletter released every week by Fair Winds Foundation, Association of Foreign Relations and Taipei Forum that provides coverage and perspectives into the latest developments in Taiwan.

Amid Controversial Lift of U.S. Port Containing Ractopamine, Officials Call for Consumption of Taiwanese Pork

Amid Controversial Lift of U.S. Port Containing Ractopamine, Officials Call for Consumption of Taiwanese Pork

On August 28, President Tsai Ing-Wen made an announcement that Taiwan will lift import restrictions on American pork containing ractopamine, as well as beef of cattle over 30 months of age.

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China Can Import Ractopamine-Free U.S. Pork, Why Can't Taiwan?

China Can Import Ractopamine-Free U.S. Pork, Why Can't Taiwan?

Among the arguments of imported pork from the United States over the impact to public health and local pork farmers, there is one overlooked fact worth our concern.

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Sudden Lift of U.S. Pork Import Restrictions: Will Our People Sacrifice Family Happiness Too?

Sudden Lift of U.S. Pork Import Restrictions: Will Our People Sacrifice Family Happiness Too?

Executive Yuan Spokesman Ting Yi-ming said in today's press conference after the Cabinet meeting that the U.S. frozen pork viscera is not to Taiwan's taste and no business would import them to Taiwan.

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This Week in Taiwan 0830-0905

This Week in Taiwan 0830-0905

August 31: The American Institute in Taiwan declassified two 1982 telegrams related to arms sales to Taiwan. They reveal that the capability and quantity of weapons provided to Taiwan is dependent upon the military threat posed by the People's Republic of China. If China were to threaten regional security by adopting a hostile or aggressive position or establish military projection capabilities, the United States will increase arms sales with Taiwan. 

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Taiwan Lifts Import Restrictions on U.S. Pork and Beef, Exchanges Food Safety for Trade Talks

Taiwan Lifts Import Restrictions on U.S. Pork and Beef, Exchanges Food Safety for Trade Talks

President Tsai: Lift of Import Restrictions Consistent with National Interests and Strategy

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President Tsai Proves DPP Misled Taiwan on U.S. Pork Import Policy

President Tsai Proves DPP Misled Taiwan on U.S. Pork Import Policy

President Tsai Ing-wen made a surprise attack on August 28 before the weekend by announcing that Taiwan will allow import of American pork containing ractopamine, a controversial feed additive, and American beef from cattle aged over 30 months effective January 1, 2021.

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Taiwan Lifts U.S. Pork Import Restrictions: Soft-Footed Pro-American Policy

Taiwan Lifts U.S. Pork Import Restrictions: Soft-Footed Pro-American Policy

President Tsai Ing-wen announced on Friday the easing of import restrictions on American pork containing 10 parts per billion (ppb) of ractopamine, as well as 30-month-old American beef.

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With Landslide in U.S.-China-Taiwan Relations, On Verge of War in the Taiwan Strait?

With Landslide in U.S.-China-Taiwan Relations, On Verge of War in the Taiwan Strait?

After former President Ma Ying-jeou cited data from the Belgian think tank and criticized the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen bring Taiwan to the brink of war, he was besieged with barrage of criticism by party apparatus.

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This Week in Taiwan 0823-0829

This Week in Taiwan 0823-0829

August 24: In October last year, Taobao opened a subsidiary in Taiwan in the name of Claddagh Venture Investment Limited but has been questioned to be "fake foreign investment, real mainland Chinese capital." After a nearly 10-month investigation, the Investment Commission, Ministry of Economic Affairs, found that mainland Chinese investor Alibaba has controlling power over Claddagh Venture Investment and that Taobao Taiwan is actually controlled by mainland investment, which violates the Act Governing Cross-Strait Relations. The subsidiary was fined NT$410,000 (about US$14,000) and ordered to withdraw or make a correction within six months. This is the first real control case to find mainland Chinese capital involvement. 

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Ma: President Tsai's Foreign Policy is Pushing Taiwan to Brink of War

Ma: President Tsai's Foreign Policy is Pushing Taiwan to Brink of War

Former President Ma Ying-jeou said yesterday that after the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took power in 2016, relations across the Taiwan Strait have quickly frozen.

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