The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) was muted in its response to the defeat of a referendum on pork imports that could have complicated trade with the United States, saying only that it hoped to continue to strengthen trade ties.
"We will continue to seek constructive engagement with Taiwan on issues that affect exports of U.S. food and agricultural products, as we do in all areas of our trade relationship," an AIT official told CNA in a statement.
The referendum asked the question: "Do you agree that the government should prohibit imports of pork, offal, or other related products that contain the ß-agonist, ractopamine?"
A total of 4,131,203 people, or 51.21 percent of valid votes cast, voted against the question, against 3,936,554 people, or 48.79 percent, who backed it.
But even if the totals had been reversed, the referendum still would not have passed because it did not meet the turnout threshold.
Under Taiwan's Referendum Act, a referendum question would have needed at least 4,956,367 "yes" votes to pass, or at least one-quarter of all eligible voters, and the "yes" votes to exceed the "no" votes.
The referendum has been of particular interest to the United States because it has considered Taiwan's previous rejection of imports of U.S. pork containing ractopamine, a controversial feed additive that critics say is harmful to human and animal health, as an impediment to trade.
It had blocked talks under the bilateral Trade & Investment Framework Agreement until Taiwan began allowing imports of pork with ractopamine on Jan. 1, and the referendum was aimed at overturning the government's decision.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel