A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities for allowing sprouted potatoes and tariff-free peanuts from the United States to enter Taiwan, arguing that the measures put public health at risk and disregard people's livelihoods.

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, stated at a regular news conference that the DPP authorities have acted against the will of the people in Taiwan and abandoned the bottom line of food safety in the face of what he described as US economic coercion and dumping under the guise of a US-Taiwan reciprocal trade agreement.

According to local media reports, Taiwan lowered its inspection and quarantine standards for US potato imports following the signing of the trade agreement in February, allowing sprouted potatoes to be shipped to the island.

Chen said the mainland has taken note of these reports and is highly concerned about the health and well-being of Taiwan compatriots. He accused the DPP authorities of sacrificing public health as a "pledge of loyalty" to curry favor with the US, in exchange for external support for their "Taiwan independence" agenda. "Such actions harm Taiwan and its people, and will inevitably be opposed," he added.

In addition to sprouted potatoes, US peanuts will also enter Taiwan tariff-free under the agreement, according to local media. Public opinion on the island has raised concerns that the policy could lead to dumping. In response, Taiwan's agricultural authorities said they are prepared to support industry transformation and enhance the added value of locally grown peanuts.

Chen criticized the DPP authorities for allowing the US to make excessive demands and "selling out" Taiwan without limits. The trade agreement has not yet been implemented. Chen said that if reports of tariff-free access for US agricultural products are confirmed, it would deal a serious blow to Taiwan's agricultural development and squeeze the livelihoods of local farmers.

Chen also dismissed the DPP authorities' claims of "industrial transformation" and "enhancing added value" as empty rhetoric aimed at shifting focus and placating the public, arguing that such measures cannot offset the real impact of foreign agricultural dumping.

"By unilaterally opening the market to the US and making concessions to curry favor, while disregarding the livelihoods and well-being of grassroots communities on the island, they are harming the interests of the people of Taiwan and sacrificing the future of its agriculture," he said.