Taipei and Washington should stay in close contact and work to prevent extended disruptions to business operations, the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (AmCham) said on Friday after the US announced a 20 percent tariff on Taiwanese goods.
“Businesses on both sides of the Pacific are looking for predictability and a stable environment in which to operate,” AmCham chairman Dan Silver said in a statement.
“AmCham urges both governments to maintain close communication and avoid prolonged disruptions that could weaken business confidence,” Silver said.
Photo: CNA
President William Lai (賴清德) on Friday said that Taiwan is still negotiating with the US in an effort to lower the 20 percent tariff, adding that he believes the “provisional” rate could be lowered once both sides reach an agreement.
Lai said that Taiwan’s negotiating team brought down the tariff from 32 percent, first announced in early April by US President Donald Trump, and 20 percent was not his administration’s ultimate goal.
The tariff on most Taiwanese exports to the US are likely to increase short-term costs for exporters, and could affect investment and production decisions, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, the statement said.
The most vulnerable industries include machine tools, plastics, electronic materials, molds and hand tools, it said, citing Ministry of Economic Affairs data.
AmCham, which represents more than 580 international companies operating in Taiwan, said that it would continue to monitor the evolving trade landscape, support government-industry engagement and assist its members.
“The strength of our trade relationship lies not just in market access, but in our shared commitment to innovation,” AmCham president Carl Wegner said, underscoring the importance of transparency and partnership.
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