Taiwan's Local Leaders Unite to Address Potential Impact of US Tariffs

City and County Leaders Strategize Countermeasures in Response to Trump's Trade Measures

Taipei, Taiwan – In a move highlighting cross-partisan concern, leaders from eight cities and counties across Taiwan convened a virtual meeting to strategize responses to the recently announced 32 percent tariff imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Taiwanese goods.

In a joint statement released following the meeting, the leaders collectively urged Taiwan's central government to take decisive action to protect workers and safeguard vulnerable industries impacted by the tariffs.

The leaders also called on the Legislature to swiftly approve a proposed NT$88 billion (US$2.67 billion) assistance package designed to support affected industries and businesses.

The virtual conference was organized by Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), bringing together the mayors and county magistrates of Hsinchu County, Hsinchu City, Miaoli County, Changhua County, Nantou County, Yunlin County, and Chiayi City.

During the meeting, Mayor Lu Shiow-yen emphasized the "severe impact" the tariffs would have on her city's export-driven manufacturing sector.

Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke (楊文科), acting Hsinchu City Mayor Andy Chiu (邱臣遠), and Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin (鍾東錦) all expressed their support for the central government's proposed NT$88 billion assistance plan.

Changhua County Magistrate Wang Huei-mei (王惠美) stressed the urgency of the situation, urging the central government to quickly understand the details of the U.S. tariffs policy to better assist businesses in making informed decisions.

Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan (張麗善) expressed concerns about potential company closures and job losses. She emphasized the need for collaboration between local governments to bolster the social safety net for affected workers.

Chiayi City Mayor Huang Min-hui (黃敏惠) suggested that, beyond maintaining credit availability through state-funded banks, the central government should consider offering preferential interest rates or tax reductions to businesses negatively impacted by the tariffs.

Nantou County Magistrate Hsu Shu-hua (許淑華) urged the central government to ensure that vulnerable sectors, such as agriculture, would not be negatively impacted during any tariff negotiations with the United States.

The eight leaders, representing a mix of political affiliations (six from the Kuomintang (KMT), one from the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), and one independent), also called on the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led central government to collaborate with local governments in mitigating the impact of the tariffs on Taiwanese businesses.

Separately, the mayors of four KMT-led cities in northern Taiwan – Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, and Keelung – are scheduled to meet to discuss the potential impact of the tariffs on local industries and explore potential responses, according to Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安).

Chiang Wan-an stated that the mayors will exchange views on various issues, including the impact of the tariffs, potential subsidies, price monitoring strategies, and industrial transformation initiatives.