Honduras-Taiwan Diplomatic Ties: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Calls for Addressing Public Expectations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a regular press conference today, April 14, in Taipei. In response to media inquiries about Honduran President Nasry Asfura's campaign promise to restore diplomatic relations with Taiwan and his subsequent order to review agreements between Tegucigalpa and Beijing, Director-General Han Chih-cheng of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs stated that Taiwan has maintained contact with various political parties in Honduras even after the severance of diplomatic ties. Han expressed confidence that President Asfura would proceed cautiously with re-establishing ties, given his campaign stance. Han also noted recent reports on the severe impact on Honduras's white shrimp aquaculture industry and small and medium-sized enterprises due to the loss of the Taiwan market and the influx of low-priced Chinese products. The Ministry urged the Honduran government to address the expectations of its people. Furthermore, Honduras's trade deficit with China has expanded since establishing diplomatic relations with Beijing in 2023. A March report by the Associated Press cited Javier Amador, president of the Honduran National Aquaculture Association (ANDAH), stating that the loss of the Taiwan market led to the closure of at least 95 shrimp farms and one processing plant, resulting in over 25,000 direct and indirect job losses and millions of US dollars in foreign exchange losses for the Central American nation. Amador hopes President Asfura will re-establish diplomatic ties with Taiwan to benefit the remaining 330 shrimp farming enterprises.