President William Lai (賴清德) on Friday visited Yilan County’s Suao Township (蘇澳) to inspect the mahi-mahi industry and meet with fisheries operators affected by the new 20 percent US tariff, pledging that the government would support fisherfolk and farmers through the impact.
The tariff, which took effect this month, is double the 10 percent rate imposed on most Latin American nations — Taiwan’s main competitors in the US mahi-mahi market — raising concerns that Taiwan could lose ground in its largest export destination.
Lai toured a local mahi-mahi processing plant with Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) and Cabinet Secretary-General Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫), before holding a meeting with fisheries representatives.
Photo: Wang Chun-chi, Taipei Times
He said that government measures to counter tariff hikes cover not only the technology sector, and small and medium-sized businesses, but also fisheries and agriculture.
Yilan County is a critical hub for mahi-mahi production and processing, Lai said, adding that he came in person to listen to fishers’ concerns.
Taiwan Mahi-Mahi Fishery Association managing supervisor Chen Chun-ming (陳俊銘) said mahi-mahi are mainly caught around Yilan County’s Nanfangao Fishing Port, Taitung County’s Chenggong Fishing Port and Pingtung County’s Donggang Township (東港).
Taiwan produces more than 5,000 tonnes annually, with about 70 percent exported to the US, he said, urging the government to expand domestic demand by promoting mahi-mahi in school lunches and military meals.
Association chairman and Suao Fishermen’s Association secretary-general Chen Chun-sheng (陳春生) said that exports to the US are positioned as high-end products, adding that the impact of the tariff could be eased if the government helps improve the industry’s competitiveness.
The Ministry of Agriculture on Friday said that NT$18 billion (US$589 million) has been allocated to support the sector through subsidized agricultural loan interest, the procurement of fishing boats and cold chain transport equipment, and the maintenance of cold storage facilities.
To boost demand, the ministry said it would also provide incentives for mahi-mahi marketing campaigns, including by offering up to NT$2 million for nationwide promotions, NT$1 million for local events and up to NT$200,000 for other approved marketing activities.
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