USDA and USTR said Monday that Taiwan's government officially expanded access to U.S. beef but "also announced a number of other additional domestic measures regarding beef and beef products."

The agencies did not specify what the "additional domestic measures" were and could not be reached for comment before deadline.

The Taiwan News reported that the country's Department of Health implemented measures that craftily scrap certain parts of the protocol announced about 10 days ago. It was to include a transitional stage in which Taiwan would allow U.S. bone-in, boneless and variety cuts derived from cattle younger than 30 months of age.

But the new measures, according to the Taiwan News, allow Taiwanese quarantine officials to defrost frozen ground beef and offal imported from the United States upon arrival to Taiwan, "effectively serving as a way to block the controversial meat products without violating the protocol."

Taiwan's decision to re-open to bone-in U.S. beef drew fierce opposition from local supermarkets, restaurants and some politicians.

USTR and USDA officials said: "We are currently reviewing these measures to ensure they allow Taiwan consumers the opportunity to enjoy the same safe American beef and beef products that American families eat. We look forward to working with our partners in Taiwan to ensure that Taiwan's domestic requirements are consistent with the Protocol, the science, the OIE guidelines, and Taiwan's international obligations."

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