Taiwan and the U.S. concluded a memorandum of cooperation on food security June 3, promoting dialogue and exchanges among the public and private sectors of both sides.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the pact was signed by Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. Deputy Rep. Johnson Chiang and American Institute in Taiwan Managing Director Ingrid Larson.
During the signing ceremony, TECRO Rep. Alexander Tah-ray Yui stressed the importance of ensuring a stable food supply for net food importers like Taiwan, especially in light of challenges like climate change. The U.S. shares the same view and has been a major source of grain and oilseed for Taiwan, he said.
After three years of negotiation between the MOA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the agreement is expected to promote sharing of information and views on production, as well as discussions on food security strategies and other trade matters, TECRO added.
MOA statistics show that the U.S. provided around 3 million tons of soybeans, wheat and corn to Taiwan in 2023, or nearly 40 percent of the country’s annual grain imports. The new pact is expected to ensure a steady and continuous supply, it said.
The ministry has been working with the USDA and other like-minded partners at international venues such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to help reduce food waste and address issues like the impact of climate change on agricultural production, it added. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw