Taipei would continue talks with the US on tariffs, and strive to secure rates that benefit Taiwan and an exemption from tariff stacking, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.
The ministry’s comments came ahead of a Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee meeting today at the legislature with the branches of government to discuss US tariffs, and the Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars.
RATES ‘TEMPORARY’
Photo: screen grab from the Hudson Institute’s Web site
In its written report to the legislature, the ministry said it would discuss with Washington collaboration in the high-tech and manufacturing industries, and strive to show the administration of US President Donald Trump that Taiwan is an essential partner helping the US reboot its manufacturing industry and secure a lead in the development of artificial intelligence.
The US’ “reciprocal” tariffs against Taiwan are at 20 percent, while the government has said that the rate is “temporary,” and the trade talks are ongoing.
The rates have not affected the “most-favored nation” duties.
Taiwan and the US have close and constructive interactions, and are jointly tackling various challenges as mutually important security and trade partners, the ministry said.
The Trump administration’s emphasis on deterring China and maintaining the security of the Indo-Pacific region is clear, it said, adding that US senators and representatives have continued to demonstrate bipartisan support for Taiwan by visiting the nation and passing legislation.
CALL FOR UNITY
Separately, former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislator Jason Hsu (許毓仁), a senior fellow at the Washington-based Hudson Institute, yesterday called on the public to show solidarity and said that Taiwanese political parties should exercise restraint while criticizing each other.
Although people criticize Taiwan’s negotiation team, the truth is that the team mostly consists of experts and government officials who have worked with administrations from both of the top two political parties, he said.
Reciprocal tariffs are almost always stacked on top of the existing ones, and not stacking would be exceptional, he said, adding that so far only Japan and the EU have successfully negotiated with the US to be exempt from tariff stacking.
Being transparent during the negotiations was difficult due to the fact that the Trump administration is condensing the negotiation process, which usually takes years, into days, he said.
The trade talks are not just about economics, and they would determine the survivability of some Taiwanese industries and the nation’s place in the world, he said, urging the nation to remain united.
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