Key facts
- Taiwan's agriculture ministry warned farmers about China's atemoya import plan.
- Taiwan described China's tactic as "raise, trap, kill".
- The move is seen as a non-military pressure tactic by Taiwan.
- This tactic is compared to China's previous ban on Taiwanese pineapples.
Taiwan's agriculture ministry has issued a stern warning to local farmers regarding China's intention to increase its import of atemoyas. The ministry described Beijing's strategy as a "raise, trap, kill" tactic, indicating a deliberate plan to create dependency and then disrupt the market. This move is interpreted by Taiwanese officials as a form of non-military pressure, reminiscent of China's previous ban on Taiwanese pineapples. The ministry is urging farmers to exercise caution and to be aware of the potential implications of this increased import volume. The objective, according to the ministry, is to prevent farmers from being ensnared in a situation that could ultimately harm their livelihoods and Taiwan's agricultural trade. The warning serves as a proactive measure to safeguard the interests of Taiwanese farmers against what is perceived as a politically motivated economic maneuver by China.