Taiwan Faces Economic Coercion from China Ahead of Election
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As Taiwan's election approaches, Beijing is using economic coercion like export bans to pressure Taiwanese voters that they are choosing between "peace vs war" and "prosperity vs decline".
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Taiwanese businesses, from fish farms to manufacturers, are now trying to minimize dependence on trade with mainland China amid expectations of more economic retaliation.
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Beijing sees robust trade as an incentive for "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan, but economic tactics have had limited sway over voters who are focused on security threats.
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Taiwan's exports to mainland China have fallen to 35% of total exports, the lowest in years, as Taiwan tries to diversify, but China opposes Taiwan joining regional trade pacts.
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While businesses feel pressure from economic coercion, some experts believe Beijing is unlikely to completely halt economic ties since that could undermine its goal of "peaceful reunification".