讀後心得

U.S. President Trump announced a 32% reciprocal tariff on Taiwan, and the administration began responding at 4 a.m. The Executive Yuan stated that this tax rate falls within the predicted range, but it needs to reassess the affected industries while considering adjustments to the existing support programs for businesses. Trump's tariff policy is based on the tax rate calculations of other countries on the United States and noted that although Taiwan is exempt in the semiconductor sector, other industries will still be impacted. The Executive Yuan will initiate strong negotiations regarding the so-called three major unreasonable points put forth by the U.S. to protect Taiwan's economic and trade interests.

The President of the United States announced a 32% equivalent tariff on Taiwan, and the administrative team began implementing response measures early this morning. Government officials stated that the 32% tariff imposed this time is within the team's predicted range and that they have the capability to manage it, but affected items need to be re-evaluated, and consideration will be given to whether to adjust the originally planned support schemes, while continuing to negotiate with the U.S. regarding unreasonable aspects.

According to the President's explanation, the calculation of the tariff is based on the tax situation imposed by other countries on the U.S., thus the U.S. will equivalently return about half of the tariff as a "discount," leading to a 32% tariff on Taiwan. These tariffs also take into account the impacts of currency manipulation and trade barriers.

The President announced this policy at 4 a.m. Taiwan time, immediately after which the administrative team focused on relevant statements and held online discussions and adjustments across departments. The Premier convened meetings with relevant ministries to analyze the affected items and reported on industry support measures and economic financial stability plans to the President in the morning.

Although the 32% tariff exceeds recent expectations from various sectors, relevant individuals pointed out that U.S. tariff policy will influence global trade trends and strategies. The Executive Yuan had established an economic diplomacy task force before last year’s U.S. elections and formed a Taiwan-U.S. trade project team after the elections to continuously monitor U.S. economic and trade policy dynamics. The imposed tax rate is within the team's simulated predictive range.

The administrative team estimated using a basic tax rate of 10%, also considering scenarios of additional levies by different industries and countries, therefore the tariff rate is still manageable. However, the affected industries and items need to be re-evaluated, and it must be considered whether to adjust the original assistance plans for businesses.

Although semiconductor products have been exempted, other industrial chains are still significantly affected. Considering the competitive relationship between most Taiwanese industries and other Asian countries, it is necessary to carefully verify and calculate unreasonable tax rates. In addition, regarding the situation where other countries choose to impose retaliatory tariffs on the U.S., relevant individuals pointed out that Taiwan has already stated its position, arguing that the tax rate does not accurately reflect the economic and trade conditions between Taiwan and the U.S., and identified three major unreasonable points, committing to continue careful negotiations.

• 1. The calculation method used by the U.S. does not reflect the high complementarity of the Taiwan-U.S. trade structure and substantial trade relations.
• 2. The increase in demand for Taiwan's ICT products by the U.S. is mainly related to the U.S.-China trade war, but Taiwan's contributions to the U.S. economy and national security are burdened with high tariffs.
• 3. The U.S. takes into account low-priced illegal transshipments as "origin laundering" in its tariff considerations, but Taiwan has already taken measures to prevent such situations.