Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo stated on Friday (May 24) that the Chinese authorities have rejected some goods from Guatemala, possibly due to Guatemala’s diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
According to Reuters, the Guatemalan Exporters Association reported on Thursday that at least seven containers of avocados were unable to enter China. Traders were informed that Guatemalan avocados and coffee would be prohibited from entering mainland China.
Guatemala is one of Taiwan’s only 12 diplomatic allies. The Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Ramiro Martinez, attended the presidential inauguration of Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday.
President Arevalo addressed the issue in a live Q&A session on TikTok, stating, “As you know, a few days ago the new Taiwan government held its inauguration ceremony, and Guatemala has diplomatic relations with Taiwan.”
Arevalo mentioned that the Guatemalan government is working to resolve the issue but has not yet received a response from the Chinese Communist Party.
The Guatemalan media outlet, “CentroAmerica 360,” described the Chinese authorities’ action as “diplomatic extortion.”
The Guatemalan Exporters Association publicly criticized China’s move as a violation of international trade agreements. They highlighted that trade between Guatemala and Taiwan is higher, and both countries have a free trade agreement, indicating a promising future for economic cooperation.
According to data from the Guatemalan Exporters Association, Guatemala’s total export volume exceeded 17 billion US dollars last year, with exports to mainland China amounting to only 82 million US dollars, while the procurement amount from Taiwan is more than three times that of mainland China.
In a released statement by the Office of the President of Taiwan,
click here for details, Tsai Ing-wen and Arevalo held a video conference on Tuesday (May 21).
Tsai expressed gratitude for Arevalo’s steadfast support and looks forward to continued cooperation between the two nations, inviting President Arevalo and his spouse to visit Taiwan. Arevalo also extended an invitation for President Tsai and her spouse to visit Guatemala to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
On April 1 last year, the then-President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen visited Guatemala. Just a week before, Guatemala’s neighbor Honduras announced the termination of diplomatic relations with Taiwan, ending their 82-year relationship and recognizing the government of the People’s Republic of China instead.