Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Over the past weeks there have been a number of statements by President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration to the effect that Taiwan has not made sufficient progress toward trade liberalization because of the stalled cross-strait service trade agreement, causing Taiwan to fall behind South Korea, its main competitor.

The government is of course blaming the delay on the Sunflower movement and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), accusing them of impeding Taiwan’s inclusion in international free-trade agreements.

“If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen” — a saying widely attributed to former US president Harry Truman — describes a situation in which a leader, once having reached the coveted position, finds it difficult to cope with the stress, pressure, responsibility and criticism that comes with the job. It means that if one decides to stick around the kitchen, the person should know that the heat is to be expected and should therefore quit complaining about it.