Trump's Reciprocal Tariffs: Backlash Over Taiwan's 32% Duty, Criticizing Lai Ching-te

Netizens React to Proposed Tariffs, Questioning Taiwan's Strategy and Lamenting the Loss of TSMC

Following Donald Trump's announcement of reciprocal tariffs, Taiwan faces a proposed 32% duty on its goods. President Lai Ching-te, who also serves as the chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party, stated yesterday that concrete policies and work directions are in place to manage risks and address public concerns and expectations. However, the news sparked significant online criticism directed at President Lai on his Facebook page. "TSMC was offered, and all we got was 32%? Wonderful," one user wrote. Another commented, "The President perfectly demonstrated what it means to lose both face and resources. Unbelievable, selling TSMC for nothing."

The online discussion continued with further concerns. "Did Trump even show any gratitude for offering TSMC? He still acts like we owe him," another commenter noted. "Others didn't offer much and are taxed less than us," another chimed in. Some users questioned the strategy: "TSMC went there, and yet we're still worse off than Japan and South Korea?" "We gave away TSMC, and it's supposed to be good that we only pay 32% instead of China's 34%?"