Joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) to help China's Frozen vegetable Industry expand overseas Market

Joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) to help China's Frozen vegetable Industry expand overseas Market

Two and a half minutes to understand the Trans-Pacific Partnership TPP

In order to consolidate the consensus of all walks of life on the government's promotion of joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (Trans-Pacific Partnership, TPP), the Ministry of Economic Affairs, through the meetings of supervisors and supervisors of various industry associations or members' meetings, took the initiative to explain to the industry the impact of China's accession to TPP on the industry and the government's approach in promoting this case. On August 11, Hong Jingting, secretary of the Office of Economic and Trade negotiators of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, was invited to the Taiwan Frozen vegetable and Fruit Industry Association to explain to the industry the progress of the TPP/RCEP negotiations and the ROC's preparations.

According to the briefing, the value of Taiwan's frozen fruit and vegetable exports to TPP countries in 2014 was about US $82.22 million, accounting for about 85.26%, with Japan, the United States, Canada, Australia and Singapore as the main export markets. Details of the tariff levies are shown in the attached table.

The reduction of tariffs in China's major export markets mentioned above will be of positive benefit to our exports. As for other TPP members, such as Vietnam and Mexico, the average tariffs on non-zero tariff items for frozen fruits and vegetables are 18.75% and 15.84% respectively, so joining TPP will also help me to expand these new markets.

Liu Guiping, chairman of the association, said that at present, the main product of the industry is edamame beans, and the main export market is Japan, with an annual growth rate of 6%, which is not easy. However, this product is now facing competition from Thailand, China, Indonesia and other countries. Chairman Liu called on members to continue to maintain the competitiveness of Taiwan products through mechanization, increasing productivity and improving product quality.

Association members affirm the government's efforts to join the TPP and send personnel to explain it in person, and hope that the government can help manufacturers reduce the cost of exporting edamame beans to Japan through TPP/RCEP accession negotiations, signing bilateral FTA or other feasible means, so that Taiwan manufacturers can compete in the same conditions as Thailand, Indonesia and other countries.

Secretary Hong responded that the government attaches great importance to the views of participating manufacturers, so it will strive to strengthen communication with the industry in order to forge consensus, strive to join regional economic integration such as TPP/RCEP, and actively reduce barriers to trade between Taiwan and Japan through various channels, so as to promote the international price competitiveness of China's frozen fruit and vegetable products and consolidate our industry's position in the global supply chain.

In addition, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has always spared no effort to assist industrial development and marketing, through diversified marketing practices, including "going out"-assisting our businessmen to participate in international exhibitions; "bringing in"-expanding foreign businessmen to purchase in Taiwan; "replenishing energy"-enhancing the support of talent, capital and information; "expanding the network"-increasing bases, sending cutting-edge soldiers, setting up business centers and channels; and "shaping image"-enhancing Taiwan's industrial image and international brand awareness. Among them, in the part of assisting our businessmen to participate in international exhibitions, the Ministry of Economic Affairs subsidized the Frozen vegetable Association to exhibit in Germany and Japan this year, so as to expand business opportunities in overseas markets.

▲ joins the Trans-Pacific Partnership TPP to help China's Frozen vegetable Industry expand overseas Market