The Ministry of Agriculture on Monday unveiled a comprehensive support package to help agricultural producers and exporters weather the impact of impending US tariffs.
The six-point initiative was introduced in response to a decision by US President Donald Trump’s administration on April 2 to impose a 32 percent import tariff on all goods from Taiwan, a measure that was postponed for 90 days one week later.
In its place, the US has enacted a temporary 10 percent tariff on most imports from countries worldwide, including Taiwan, with China one of the few exceptions
Photo: Taipei Times
The measures are designed to stabilize the industry, protect affected producers and enhance Taiwan’s competitiveness in domestic and overseas markets, the ministry said.
To help offset the short-term financial impact of the tariffs, the ministry said it would subsidize loan interest rates by up to 0.75 percent for six months, adding that eligible farmers, agricultural groups and agribusinesses can apply for individual loans of up to NT$20 million (US$615,422).
Eligibility would also extend to producers with a history of exports to the US, as well as those indirectly affected by the tariff adjustments, the ministry said.
In addition to financial support, the government would offer subsidies to strengthen cold chain infrastructure, product processing and quality certification as part of broader efforts to upgrade production capabilities.
Flower growers meeting specific criteria would be eligible for subsidies of up to NT$10 million, while tea and edamame — a kind of immature soybean popular in East Asian cuisine — producers can apply for targeted support for equipment and packaging upgrades.
The ministry also announced support for branding, packaging innovation and market segmentation, including subsidies of up to NT$150,000 per project to help cover international certification costs for flower, edamame and tea products.
Aquaculture operators, including fish farmers raising barramundi and tilapia, would receive expanded support for cold storage and ice-making facilities, with subsidy rates increased by 10 percent compared with previous plans.
Deep-sea and offshore fishers catching mahi-mahi, particularly those participating in the Fishery Improvement Program, would be eligible for cold chain system upgrades of up to NT$3 million per vessel.
To help ensure continued access to global markets, the ministry would also fund overseas marketing campaigns for Taiwan-grown products, including flowers and seedlings, barramundi, tilapia, mahi-mahi and edamame, as well as fully domestically produced tea.
Detailed application guidelines are available on the ministry’s Web site, and a free consultation hotline has been set up to assist with inquiries.
SHIPS, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES: The ministry has announced changes to varied transportation industries taking effect soon, with a number of effects for passengers Beginning next month, the post office is canceling signature upon delivery and written inquiry services for international registered small packets in accordance with the new policy of the Universal Postal Union, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday. The new policy does not apply to packets that are to be delivered to China, the ministry said. Senders of international registered small packets would receive a NT$10 rebate on postage if the packets are sent from Jan. 1 to March 31, it added. The ministry said that three other policies are also scheduled to take effect next month. International cruise ship operators
NUMBERS IMBALANCE: More than 4 million Taiwanese have visited China this year, while only about half a million Chinese have visited here Beijing has yet to respond to Taiwan’s requests for negotiation over matters related to the recovery of cross-strait tourism, the Tourism Administration said yesterday. Taiwan’s tourism authority issued the statement after Chinese-language daily the China Times reported yesterday that the government’s policy of banning group tours to China does not stop Taiwanese from visiting the country. As of October, more than 4.2 million had traveled to China this year, exceeding last year. Beijing estimated the number of Taiwanese tourists in China could reach 4.5 million this year. By contrast, only 500,000 Chinese tourists are expected in Taiwan, the report said. The report
The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency yesterday launched a gift box to market honey “certified by a Formosan black bear” in appreciation of a beekeeper’s amicable interaction with a honey-thieving bear. Beekeeper Chih Ming-chen (池明鎮) in January inspected his bee farm in Hualien County’s Jhuosi Township (卓溪) and found that more than 20 beehives had been destroyed and many hives were eaten, with bear droppings and paw prints near the destroyed hives, the agency said. Chih returned to the farm to move the remaining beehives away that evening when he encountered a Formosan black bear only 20m away, the agency said. The bear
HORROR STORIES: One victim recounted not realizing they had been stabbed and seeing people bleeding, while another recalled breaking down in tears after fleeing A man on Friday died after he tried to fight the knife-wielding suspect who went on a stabbing spree near two of Taipei’s busiest metro stations, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said. The 57-year-old man, identified by his family name, Yu (余), encountered the suspect at Exit M7 of Taipei Main Station and immediately tried to stop him, but was fatally wounded and later died, Chiang said, calling the incident “heartbreaking.” Yu’s family would receive at least NT$5 million (US$158,584) in compensation through the Taipei Rapid Transit Corp’s (TRTC) insurance coverage, he said after convening an emergency security response meeting yesterday morning. National
RSS