Taiwan's agriculture ministry has cautioned farmers against China's intention to increase imports of atemoyas, a fruit specialty of Taitung county. The ministry characterized Beijing's approach as a "raise, trap, kill" tactic, designed to foster reliance before exposing farmers to market instability. This warning comes after China's previous ban on Taiwanese pineapples in 2021 and fluctuating import policies for atemoyas, including a suspension in 2021, partial resumption in 2023, and new taxes in 2024.
Taiwanese authorities aim to promote sustainable agricultural development and stable farmer incomes by encouraging diversified processing of atemoyas into products like frozen fruit and wines. However, opposition lawmakers have criticized these warnings, suggesting they politicize the industry and could harm farmers. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an accused the Mainland Affairs Council of "bullying and oppressing" farmers, likening the atemoya to Taiwan's globally significant semiconductor industry.
China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, has been employing various non-military tactics to pressure the self-governed island. The atemoya import pledge was made at a forum in Xiamen, attended by Taiwanese business leaders and opposition politicians, despite an official ban on participation by Taiwan's central government.