The nation’s two biggest opposition parties yesterday expressed dismay at US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 32 percent tariff on Taiwanese goods and urged the government to negotiate with the US on the issue.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Wang Hung-wei (王鴻薇) told reporters that the high tariffs represent a “devastating shock” for Taiwan, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses.
Wang blamed the Democratic Progressive Party government for being too “optimistic” when Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co expanded the level of its investment in the US and for failing to secure membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Photo: CNA
KMT Legislator Ko Ju-chun (葛如鈞) accused the government of “doing nothing” in response to the looming tariffs, and said Canada and Mexico had successfully avoided tariffs by proactively negotiating with the US.
In a news release, the KMT said President William Lai (賴清德) had been “solely dependent” on the US, while the KMT’s policy is to be “pro-US, but not dependent on the US.”
“[Lai] has no strategic autonomy in foreign economic and trade negotiations,” the statement said.
The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) also expressed concern over the tariffs on Taiwanese goods.
In a news release, the TPP said that Taiwan’s export-oriented economy, especially in traditional industries, could be forced to establish production facilities in the US.
The TPP urged the government to launch negotiations with the US about the tariffs, and to execute strategies to improve economic resilience, including industry transformation and job stability.
Democratic Progressive Party caucus chief executive Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) said the ruling party respects the KMT’s request for Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) to report to the legislature on the US tariffs.
At the same time, she urged opposition parties to put national before partisan interests and stand united with the government in defense of national interests.
Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said the government would “lodge a solemn representation” with the US Trade Representatives and continue negotiating with Washington to “ensure the interests of our nation and industries.”
Meanwhile, the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (AmCham) said that the Taiwan-US partnership is a driver of shared economic prosperity.
“AmCham Taiwan urges policymakers in both Washington and Taipei to continue fostering this mutually beneficial relationship,” it said in a statement. “In a time of growing geopolitical complexity, the US-Taiwan partnership is not only a driver of shared economic prosperity, but also central to supply chain security and regional stability.”
US industries rely heavily on Taiwan for high-value, capital-intensive products that cannot be mass produced elsewhere, such as semiconductors, information and communications technology, and precision machinery, it said.
US exports to Taiwan have almost no domestic competition, with imported goods, including agricultural products, aircraft and industrial machinery, AmCham added.
The Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce said in a statement that the impact of the tariffs would “exceed expectations.”
The association suggested immediately activating crisis-response measures, conducting a comprehensive review of the potential impacts and strengthening communication with the US.
It further proposed negotiating to lower the tariffs, and providing tax relief and financial assistance to affected industries in Taiwan.
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