USDA, USTA “Disappointed” in Taiwan’s Ban of Some U.S. Beef Products

USDA and the United States Trade Representative issued a joint statement yesterday expressing disappointment with the decision by Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan to bar the import of certain U.S. beef and beef products. In the statement, Deputy United States Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis and Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Jim Miller noted concern over Taiwan’s action to place domestic politics over science. “This action will also undermine Taiwan’s credibility as a responsible trading partner and will make it more challenging for us to conclude future agreements to expand and strengthen bilateral trade and economic ties,” the statement said.