Taiwan’s most favored nation (MFN) rates and most favorable treatment under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act would not be affected by changes to US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs over the weekend, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said today.
A ruling on Friday by the US Supreme Court declared Trump’s global tariffs unconstitutional, following which Trump on Saturday signed an executive order to impose a 15 percent tariff rate globally.
Taiwan had secured a 15 percent tariff rate in January and MFN treatment and allowances under Section 232 in a trade deal signed earlier this month, following 10 months of negotiations.
Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times
The government would strive to secure those same benefits under the new tariff policy, Cho said.
Taiwan would hold talks with the US side as soon as possible to discuss the conditions and legal implications of the tariffs’ implementation, Cho said.
The government would release a more detailed explanation to the public in due course, he added.
Officials yesterday held a seven-hour meeting from 3pm to 10pm to discuss the evolving situation and international response, with information gathering made more difficult as it was a public holiday, he said.
Attendees decided to use the comprehensive statement issued by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) as Taiwan’s official position, he added.
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