Taiwan is preparing to open its market to pork imports from the UK for the first time, with the first shipment to reach Taiwan in the next few weeks. The new agreement is expected to profit British farmers £50 million over the first five years. Remarking on the positive implications of this move for bilateral relations, UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board International Market Director Phil Hadley said “this is an exciting development and a great step forward for the UK and Taiwan.” Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox MP publicly voiced his support for the agreement, stating “the opening of the Taiwanese market to British pork is another vote of confidence in our world-renowned, high quality UK food and drink.” Former Trade Minister Greg Hands MP publicly lauded the agreement as “great news” and expressed gratitude to Taiwanese and UK officials. Taiwan is the UK’s eighth largest trading partner in the Asia-Pacific with bilateral trade now worth more than £5.4 billion, and this development signifies the deepening of trade relations between Taiwan and the UK for the future.
