Photo: Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have kept their trade negotiations with the US behind closed doors and even engaged in political manipulations, simply because they have no bottom line when it comes to currying favor with Washington or selling out Taiwan, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a press briefing on Wednesday. 

Chen made the remarks when asked to comment on how the DPP authorities' ongoing trade talks with the US and the strengthening of Taiwan's currency raised widespread concerns on the island about the DPP's compromises and concessions to the US and about industry and food security.  

"This once again proves that the DPP authorities have no intention and no ability to safeguard the economic development and people's well-being on the island," Chen said, adding that the sharp appreciation of the new Taiwan dollar will hurt exports and strain the economy. Combined with tariff pressure, Taiwan is at risk of becoming a dumping ground for foreign goods and an easy target for speculative capital, damaging local industries and threatening food safety.

"In allowing the US to make one-sided demands, the DPP authorities are sacrificing Taiwan and harming the interests of the Taiwan people," the mainland official said.

The US announced plans on April 2 to impose a 32-percent "reciprocal tariff" on products from the Taiwan Island. The tariff is currently in a 90-day exemption period, as the DPP authorities are engaged in trade negotiations with the US, according to media reports.

On May 3, the DPP authorities announced that the first round of trade talks with the US had been concluded on May 1. On May 2, the new Taiwan dollar appreciated 4.37 percent against the US dollar in a single day, closing at 31.064, a 15-month high. On May 5, the new Taiwan dollar continued its strong rally, rising another 4.92 percent and reaching a peak of 29.59, as observers said that there is speculation that Washington is pushing for a "Plaza Accord"-style agreement that would force the new Taiwan dollar to appreciate in order to narrow the US trade deficit with the island, per media reports.

In response to questions about the sharp appreciation of the new Taiwan dollar, which some link to US tariff talks, Chen stated on May 14 that Taiwan's DPP authorities have surrendered to US economic pressure, and the so-called "negotiations" are just political theater that will embolden the US further.

Chen criticized Lai Ching-te's call for Taiwan residents to "treat suffering as nourishment," calling it a submissive strategy to please the US through large purchases and investments, which is selling out Taiwan to gain favor with Washington. 

Chen urged Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to unite, defend their right to development, and uphold national dignity, expressing concern about the challenges faced by Taiwan's industries and welcoming Taiwan firms to invest on the mainland.