Thousands of Taiwanese farmers staged a raucous protest Thursday against a government plan to allow the import of U.S. beef containing a growth drug, challenging the island's president to "say no" to Washington.
The protest outside Taiwan's ornate legislative building came as newly re-elected President Ma Ying-jeou seeks to strengthen ties with the U.S. by resolving the long-standing beef dispute, reports the Associated Press. The beef issue has stalled trade talks crucial to keeping up the island's competitive edge in global trade.