The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus yesterday called for a Cabinet reshuffle, particularly in national security and economic positions, over what it described as the government’s mishandled response to the US imposing tariffs on Taiwanese goods.
The Executive Yuan on Thursday denounced the tariff as “deeply unreasonable,” and held a news conference on Friday pledging NT$88 billion (US$2.66 billion) in economic support measures.
KMT caucus secretary-general Wang Hung-wei (王鴻薇) yesterday said that Minister of Economic Affairs J.W. Kuo’s (郭智輝) silence during the news conference showed poor leadership, while his acquiescence to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip Ker Chien-ming’s (柯建銘) call to “ignore the media” reflected the Cabinet’s incompetence.
Photo: Taipei Times
If Ker’s statement — reportedly made after attending a national security meeting — that Taiwan would only be hit by “at most” a 10 percent tariff is true, Taiwan is woefully uninformed and the entire national security team should be reshuffled, Wang said.
Commenting on Premier Cho Jung-tai’s (卓榮泰) plan to convene a cross-party caucus meeting to address the tariff issue, KMT Legislator Lin Pei-hsiang (林沛祥) said that President William Lai (賴清德), in his role as DPP chairman, should meet with KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) and Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) to “show sincerity.”
DPP caucus chief executive Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) dismissed the opposition’s calls for a Cabinet reshuffle as “cheap political manipulation,” when the nation should maintain solidarity and face difficulties together.
DPP Legislator Hsu Chih-chieh (許智傑) said that a change in government personnel would be ill-advised during such a critical period, adding that perhaps it is opposition lawmakers disrupting normal government operations who should be replaced.
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
Temperatures in northern Taiwan are forecast to reach as high as 30°C today, as an ongoing northeasterly seasonal wind system weakens, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said yesterday that with the seasonal wind system weakening, warmer easterly winds would boost the temperature today. Daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan and Yilan County are expected to range from 28°C to 30°C today, up about 3°C from yesterday, Tseng said. According to the CWA, temperature highs in central and southern Taiwan could stay stable. However, the weather is expected to turn cooler starting tonight as the northeasterly wind system strengthens again
COOLING OFF: Temperatures are expected to fall to lows of about 20°C on Sunday and possibly 18°C to 19°C next week, following a wave of northeasterly winds on Friday The Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Sunday forecast more rain and cooler temperatures for northern Taiwan this week, with the mercury dropping to lows of 18°C, as another wave of northeasterly winds sweeps across the country. The current northeasterly winds would continue to affect Taiwan through today, with precipitation peaking today, bringing increased rainfall to windward areas, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng (劉沛滕) said. The weather system would weaken slightly tomorrow before another, stronger wave arrives on Friday, lasting into next week, Liu said. From yesterday to today, northern Taiwan can expect cool, wet weather, with lows of 22°C to 23°C in most areas,
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