Questions remain after Mr.

Mas response
It is encouraging to know Mr.
Ma is concerned about the economy. The lackluster economic performance is testament to his leadership of the past few years.
GDP Growth
16.0% 14.0% 12.0% 10.0% 8.0% 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% (2.0%) (4.0%) Korea Singapore Taiwan 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Source: Office of the President

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Source: Economist Intelligence Unit

Questions remain after Mr. Mas response (Contd)

1. This is not true: a. Upon the time Mr. Ma
delivered the speech, The TiSA was already sent to vote in Legislative Yuan, meaning there would only be Ratified or Not without opportunities for thorough deliberation between KMP, DPP and the public. b. The process is that the agreement signed between China and Taiwan has to be ratified in Legislative Yuan before being effective. However, public hearings took place AFTER signing the TiSA. That leaves Legislative Yuan nothing but a stamp of approval only. This process bypasses building consensus before starting negotiation. Is that the democracy we want? c. KMTs Vice Executive Secretary Hung-Chih Lin mentioned more than once that there is no room for deliberation on the TiSA, which has to be only decided by vote. Note KMT has majority in Legislative Yuan, and Mr. Ma is the Chairman of KMT.

Source: Office of the President

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Questions remain after Mr. Mas response (Contd)

2. So what has Mr. Ma done
these years?

3. Rashly increasing the

number of FTAs signed without sufficient debate and deliberation is not the solution to economic malaise. a. Our democracy should not be compromised in the name of economic development. The people should be consulted if we are to build a future for all. b. Without transparent due process, it is open to doubt whether the trade agreement serves the interests of all, and not just special interests. c. A comprehensive trade policy also has to address the impact of liberalization on less competitive sectors of the economy to avoid erosion of social capital from increasing inequality.

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Source: Office of the President

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Questions remain after Mr. Mas response (Contd)

4

4. Again, what has Mr. Ma

done these years? Note that Mr. Ma mentioned FTA between Korea and Canada, wondering what the progress is between FTA discussion with Canada?

5. Hearsay should not be one

of the arguments from Mr. Ma to persuade the public on the TiSA?

6. Trade agreement is all about

negotiation. Each party has what it wants to protect under any circumstances. It is never fair, and is not designed to be fair. Once one country finds it difficult to make progress / unable to protect certain items it wants to protect, it walks away. It is more about being responsible for the welfare of the whole country than credibility. Speaking of credibility, does Mr. Ma ever care? http://photo.xuite.net/sukishi ori/5847585/2.jpg/sizes/o/

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Source: Office of the President

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Questions remain after Mr. Mas response (Contd)

Every country wants to retain
the talents in the home country. Most developed countries such as US and Singapore even try to attract talents from aboard by granting them permanent residency.

It is interesting to see Mr. Ma

encourages young talents to work in other countries. Shouldnt he try to create a competitive environment that attracts the best talents around the world?

So what he alluded to seems

to be Yes, we suck. Please go and work elsewhere. No wonder we have been losing competitiveness.

Source: Office of the President

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Questions remain after Mr. Mas response (Contd)

It is pre-mature to jump into
conclusion on the TiSA. It would not be 100% favorable to China; nor would it to Taiwan. That said, it remains unclear how negative impacts will be mitigated.

While there seems to be no

evaluation on negative impact, the economic benefit Mr. Ma cares most does not seem to justify the TiSA.

According to Ministry of
Economic Affairs, the TiSA will increase Taiwan GDP by US$97mm US$134mm, representing 0.025%-0.034%. To put that amount into context, Ministry of Economic Affairs mentioned on March 24, 2014 that one-day strike would cost US$120bn. So what is the economic benefit the TiSA brings to Taiwan? It is only worth 1/10 days of work.
Source: Office of the President
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Questions remain after Mr. Mas response (Contd)

Being against current
package of the TiSA does not translate into opposing liberalization. Overgeneralization only creates unnecessary opposition and details the attention to the essence of the deal. Not to mention those ungrounded pitches.

The government is holding a

gun to the peoples heads and forcing a Yes and No decision on the current package. We should have more options than that.

Source: Office of the President

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Questions remain after Mr. Mas response (Contd)

Source: Office of the President

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