Washington: A Taiwan agricultural trade mission on Wednesday signed three letters of intent with United States agricultural industry associations to purchase more than US$10 billion worth of American farm products over the next four years. At the signing ceremony on Capitol Hill, Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih highlighted Taiwan’s significant import history, noting that Taiwan imported more than US$3.7 billion in American agricultural products last year, including US$1.9 billion in soybeans, corn, wheat, and beef.
According to Focus Taiwan, Chen emphasized the increase in Taiwan’s biennial agricultural trade goodwill mission pledge, which has historically been about US$1.9 billion annually but this year was raised to US$2.5 billion, marking a 25 percent increase. “Today, we are taking our partnership to the next level. We are proud to sign letters of intent and announce our commitment to purchase more than US$10 billion in soybeans, corn, wheat, and beef over the next four years,” he stated. Chen noted that this arrangement benefits both Taiwanese consumers and U.S. farmers and exporters by providing a stable market.
Taiwan’s representative to the U.S., Alexander Yui, also attended the ceremony and emphasized that the relationship between Taipei and Washington extends beyond daily sustenance to include security aspects. “We need to have a strategic supply for rainy days because of what’s happening in the Taiwan Strait,” Yui said, highlighting the importance of buying from allies not only in food but also in energy and defense-related equipment.
Following the ceremony, Minister Chen announced that the delegation, composed of major Taiwanese food companies and agricultural groups, would split into three teams to visit eight U.S. states. The soybean and corn group will tour Arkansas, Ohio, and Indiana; the wheat group will travel to South Dakota, Montana, and Idaho; and the beef group will head to Florida and Texas. Each group will engage with local politicians, farmers’ associations, and exporters to explore further cooperation.
This year marks the 15th “agricultural trade goodwill mission” since 1998. The biennial missions aim to balance trade with the U.S. and ease trade frictions, as well as avert tariff increases on Taiwanese exports, as stated by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung in March.
