Taiwan is among the first batch of countries set to enter into tariff negotiations with the US, President William Lai (賴清德) said today.
"Taiwan is now included in the first list of negotiations" with the US, Lai told representatives from the machinery industry in Taichung, without providing further details.
The president added that the government would be fully prepared for talks with the US to protect Taiwan's national interests and the future development of Taiwanese industries.
Photo: Liao Yao-tung, Taipei Times
Lai called for unity across both the public and private sectors, as well as between the ruling and opposition parties, in the face of the US tariff shocks, noting that Taiwan could overcome the challenge and "turn crisis into opportunities" through collective efforts.
However, it remains unclear when such talks would take place and who would actually be involved. The Cabinet said yesterday the government would notify the public about more details in due time.
Today's meeting came after Lai had two discussions last weekend with representatives from information and communications technology, non-tech industries and small and medium-sized enterprises at the presidential residence.
The meeting moved behind closed doors after Lai and Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI) Chairman David Chuang (莊大立) delivered their remarks.
Chuang expressed concern that the 32-percent duties Taiwan was set to face before they were postponed would not only directly impact Taiwanese machinery exports to the US but also undermine their global competitiveness.
TAMI issued a statement yesterday urging the government to negotiate with the US for a lower tariff rate for Taiwanese machinery products, particularly for a rate lower than their main competitors from Japan and South Korea.
The association, which represents more than 2,700 company members in Taiwan, also called for "interest-free loans" for machinery businesses that have already begun to feel the sting of the tariffs.
Trump's "reciprocal tariffs" on imports from dozens of countries — including a blanket 32-percent levy on most Taiwanese goods — were scheduled to take effect on Wednesday.
On Wednesday afternoon (Washington time), however, Trump announced a 90-day pause on the new measures, with reduced 10-percent duties to be applied instead to all countries except China.
Chuang said companies in the machinery sector would work with the government to address the issue of transshipments, a practice where goods are routed through a third country from their country of origin to benefit from lower duties imposed on that third country.
At the same time, Chuang continued, Taiwanese suppliers are willing to collaborate with US partners in manufacturing machine tools, adding that "we will be a good partner."
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
STAY COOL: The HPA recommended that people stay hydrated, use air-conditioning or fans while indoors, wear loose-fitting clothes and walk in the shade while outdoors Employers must implement measures such as installing cooling equipment, and providing drinking water and rest breaks for outdoor workers starting from Monday next week, the Taipei Department of Labor said on Sunday. Employers who fail to comply could face fines of NT$30,000 to NT$300,000 under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (職業安全衛生法), the department said. Businesses in Taipei employing fewer than 100 workers, as well as registered self-employed workers with labor insurance coverage, could receive on-site assessments and guidance from occupational safety consultants to help them apply for central government subsidies to implement or improve heat-protection measures, it said. Under the Ministry of
ISOLATION: The outposts would serve as support and backup bases, forcing US forces to either face China head-on or reroute, increasing travel time and operational costs China’s outposts in the South China Sea could be used to delay and constrain foreign forces during a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, giving Beijing a critical window to carry out amphibious landing and blockade operations, a report said. The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) forward operating bases on islands and reclaimed features in the South China Sea could delay foreign forces long enough for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to secure a key 48-to-72-hour window in the Taiwan Strait, a report commissioned by the Mainland Affairs Council found. The report, conducted by the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, examined
RSS