The Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) is the major part of Ma’s aggressive efforts to engage the Mainland economically and boost Taiwan’s economy. Taiwan officials have said the agreement will allow the free flow of many goods and services except for agricultural produce as a concession to Taiwanese farmers.
Ma has said repeatedly that he wants to close the deal by June. After the pact is signed, it must be approved by the legislature.
Tsai,leading the opposition and in an aggressive mood, dismissed Ma’s claim and said the pact will force Taiwan to open up for cheap Mainland exports eventually and some Taiwanese industries will bear the brunt of the Mainland trade invasion. She said, "The working class, farmers and people who earn fixed salaries will suffer the most from economic changes caused by ECFA.."
Bloomberg Business Week reported that while Ma acknowledged Tsai’s claim that the China pact will increase the financial gap between the rich and the poor, he said his government will redress the issue through tax and social welfare programs.