The government says it is ready to address China's economic coercion.

That's after Beijing announced yesterday that it is expanding the suspension
of preferential tariff rates...

...on Taiwanese imports that had been part of a bilateral trade deal.

In response, Taiwan's government says a raft of measures have been prepared...

...to address the potential impact of Beijing's move and alleviate any
adverse effects.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs announced plans for greater market
diversification...

...while the Office of Trade Negotiations says the risks and damages...

...associated with the announced suspension of related goods are controllable.

The estimated amount of the affected exports to China was 9.8-billion US
dollars last year...

...accounting for about 2 percent of Taiwan's total global exports, according
to official data.

The government said China's move constitutes a serious violation of World
Trade Organization regulations...

...urging Beijing to start negotiations with Taipei under related mechanisms.

The measures are the economic counterpart to Beijing's military exercises
last week.

Both are viewed as punishment for Taiwan inaugurating president Lai
Ching-te...

...whom Beijing views as a dangerous seperatist.