Taiwan protests as China strips preferential tariffs on 134 products

Minister calls move a 'political maneuver' to pressure Taipei

A cargo ship is docked at a port in Keelung, Taiwan, in January 2022. Taiwan and China signed a pact in 2010 that introduced favorable duties for both sides. © Reuters

THOMPSON CHAU, Contributing writer

May 31, 2024 18:55 JST

TAIPEI -- China will remove long-standing preferential tariffs on 134 imports from Taiwan, its government said on Friday, in a move that appears designed to pressure the new Taiwanese president.

The announcement by China's Ministry of Finance covers items such as base oils for lubricants, racing bicycles and textile products produced in Taiwan. It came less than two weeks after Lai Ching-te was inaugurated as Taiwan's president.