Pelosi visit to Taiwan: China issues first sanctions

After the visit of US top politician Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, China issued the first economic sanctions against the island. The leadership in Beijing wants to underscore its claim to Taiwan.

Beijing reacted angrily to the visit of US top politician Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. In response to Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, the Chinese government has issued the first economic sanctions to underline its claim to power over the Pacific island state.

Even before the 82-year-old’s visit yesterday, China stopped imports from some Taiwanese food manufacturers to mainland China. Today the government in Beijing announced further sanctions: The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced that the export of sand to Taiwan was stopped with immediate effect. This is used in the construction industry, among other things.

China is Taiwan’s most important trading partner

In addition, imports of citrus fruit, frozen mackerel fillet and chilled hairtail fish from Taiwan will be banned from today, Chinese customs officials said.

It is not yet known how long the restrictions will apply and whether these sanctions will remain in place. Perhaps these sanctions are just the beginning. This could have dramatic consequences for Taiwan’s economy, as China is Taiwan’s largest trading partner.