TAIWAN — In late October after Taiwan lifted a ban on U.S. beef, the Taiwanese government's move caused public outcry by consumers over safety concerns. As a result, Taiwan's two main political parties have just agreed to reinstate a ban on some U.S. beef imports, according to The Associated Press.

The Dec. 29 decision by the ruling Nationalists and main opposition Democratic Progressive Party will restore a previous ban on ground U.S. beef and offal. Officials in Taiwan said they expect the most recent decision to be voted into law on Jan. 5, said Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng.

After learning about this turn of events, Thomas Hodges, spokesman and public affairs section chief of the American Institute in Taiwan, indicated he was disappointed and he added that Washington would make an announcement in response to this move later on, according to The China Post.