Trump's Tariff Swipe: Taiwan Navigates Unexpected Trade Winds

President Lai's Government Responds to US Tariff Announcement with Diplomacy and Economic Assessments.

In a move that has sent ripples through global trade, former US President Donald Trump announced on the 2nd of the month the imposition of a 32% reciprocal tariff on Taiwan. President William Lai (賴清德) responded swiftly, convening a meeting with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), Deputy Premier Cheng Li-chun (鄭麗君), and key members of the administrative and national security teams at the Presidential Office. The meeting focused on the broader implications of the announced tariffs, which extended to other nations as well, the potential impact on industries, and the overall economic effects.

President Lai (賴清德) elaborated on the situation via social media, highlighting concerns regarding the trade imbalance basis of the tariffs. He emphasized that the "reciprocal tariff" policy, calculated based on trade deficits, doesn't accurately reflect the highly complementary and substantial trade relationship between Taiwan and the United States. The recent trade deficits, largely stemming from Taiwanese industries adapting to the US policy regarding technological controls during Trump's first term, and the increased US demand for Taiwanese information and communication technology products, are not adequately considered. He underscored his concerns regarding the unfairness of the tariffs and the potential negative impact on the global economy.