Political pressure to protect farmers will stall Taiwan's dreams of signing free trade agreements (FTA) with Southeast Asia, setting back a piece of the island's growth strategy, a senior official said.
Taiwan's US$12.8-billion agricultural sector, dominated by small farms that represent votes, will need persuading before the subtropical island known for fruits and tea can sign FTAs with major farm-rich trading partners such as Malaysia or the Philippines, government economic planner San Gee said.
Those countries would follow others, from Brazil to South Korea to the United States, in getting snagged on agricultural protection while negotiating free trade pacts that would slash import tariffs and threaten politically savy farmers.
Taiwan's US$12.8-billion agricultural sector, dominated by small farms that represent votes, will need persuading before the subtropical island known for fruits and tea can sign FTAs with major farm-rich trading partners such as Malaysia or the Philippines, government economic planner San Gee said.
Those countries would follow others, from Brazil to South Korea to the United States, in getting snagged on agricultural protection while negotiating free trade pacts that would slash import tariffs and threaten politically savy farmers.
