the Taiwanese authorities will out agricultural tariffs ahead of schedule to boost island's bid to join the World Trade organisaton 0wTO) In May, it was reported here yesterday. "Following strong US demand, our side will make a significant concessi at the next round of talks in January or February, an agricultural otrcial was quoted by the United Daily News as saying. He said the government, which has previously insisted upon a three-year grace period for the tariff cuts following Taiwan's WTO entry, would agree to turther reduce agricultural import duties before admission to the world trade regulatory body. The most sensitive issue facing Taiwan negotiators is the opening up of its market of rice, the island's most important crop. washington had proposed that Taiwan adopt the formula Japan used to open its rice market, but that proposal has been rejected by Taipei. Under the Japan model, the island would have to allow rice imports equaling 4% of domestic consumption in the first year of entry to the wTO. Imports would be permitted to increase by 0.8% annually, eventually reaching 8% of the domestic market share the sixth year. Economic Minister Wang Chinkang would not confirm the report yesterday but pledged to "take care of local farmers' interests" while seeking to wrap up almost seven years of talks. Wang also called attention to the importance of coming talks with the US. saying "after completing the talks, there should be few problems lying ahead regarding the WTO membership." Taipei artd Washington have held 15 rounds of talks to reduce trade differences on telecommunications, banking and other sectors since Talwan applied to join the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in 1990. The Gatt was superseded by the WTO in 1995.