The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) on Thursday convened a meeting of KMT-affiliated county commissioners and mayors to come up with possible solutions to US-imposed tariffs, and urged President William Lai (賴清德) to convene a national affairs conference on the issue.
Referring to the Cabinet’s proposed NT$88 billion (US$2.69 billion) special budget to mitigate the impact of US tariffs, KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) on Thursday called on the government to boost the funding to about NT$200 billion and prioritize relief by issuing NT$10,000 in tax refunds to the public to stimulate domestic demand.
The KMT also urged the government to promptly launch international negotiations, expand and diversify export markets, and enhance cooperation between central and local governments, Chu said.
Photo: CNA
Relief fund allocations should be adjusted based on the real impact of US tariffs once implemented, he said, adding that support should focus on labor, agriculture and fisheries.
Chu also called on the government to boost infrastructure investment — including improving the nation’s electricity supply — and to introduce measures such as import substitution policies to help stabilize the economy and financial market.
The government should also offer international tourists a one-month visa waiver and to relax regulations against Chinese tourists, both of which would bolster the tourism sector, he said.
The government should begin negotiations with the US and consider sending a procurement delegation — including representatives from central and local governments, as well as the private sector — to the US, he said, adding that the nation should step up efforts to join regional economic organizations and pursue free trade agreements with other countries.
In response to media questions, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) yesterday said that the government remains open to discussion on the most appropriate course of action, but added that any decisions must take into account the nation’s fiscal health and the needs of the public.
Democratic Progressive Party spokesman Justin Wu (吳崢) separately said that the KMT’s rehashing of the so-called “1992 consensus” and reliance on China as the ultimate solution to all problems does little to address the situation.
Wu also criticized the KMT for what he described as contradictory positions — supporting budget cuts while simultaneously calling for tax refunds — saying that Taiwan does not need policies that treat public finances in an irresponsible or superficial manner.
The “1992 consensus” refers to a tacit understanding between the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party that both sides of the Taiwan Strait acknowledge that there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means.
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