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But the pandemic is not the only cause of disruption to trade: China has banned Taiwanese grouper imports since June, citing prohibited chemicals and high levels of other drugs found in the fish. Taiwan said the ban was politically motivated.
China and Hong Kong account for about 40 per cent of Taiwan’s exports. After Pelosi’s visit, China halted imports of Taiwanese citrus fruits and certain fish products. It also suspended the export of natural sand to Taiwan.
Analysts told Bloomberg it is unlikely, however, that China will suspend tech imports such as Taiwanese semiconductors, as it would be “very difficult” to find alternative supplies.
For its part, Taiwan has tried reducing its reliance on the Chinese market by expanding its trade and economic ties with countries such as Japan and the US.
Meantime, for farmers like Pan, who must shoulder the cost of keeping water pumps running and feeding her fish, robust cross-strait business will depend on a “healthy relationship” between both sides. She hopes for that while remaining neutral about unification.
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