/TAIWAN: China Rattles Trade Sabre, Curbs Imports Of Taiwanese Food Products

Taiwanese media outlets run reports noting that China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) has banned the import of foods from more than 100 Taiwanese producers, in an apparent retaliation for U.S. House Speaker Pelosi's planned visit to the self-ruled island.

• The measure took effect at midnight, meaning that prohibited goods are not allowed to enter mainland China from today. It has entered into force just in time before Pelosi's arrival in Taipei expected this evening.
• China Customs invoked a new rule (Order No. 248) that was enacted in January and outlines new registration requirements for food producers willing to ship their products into China.
• There have been concerns that the new rule could be weaponised by China in geopolitical or trade disputes, with lack of detailed implementation guidelines leaving Beijing considerable discretion in applying the regulation.