讀後心得

The United States will impose an additional 34% tariff on Chinese products starting from the 9th, presenting greater challenges for Taiwanese businesses. Li Zhenghong, president of the Taiwan Enterprises Association, pointed out that the consumer electronics and furniture industries will be affected, as they have a high export proportion to the U.S. Meanwhile, toy exporter Zhai Suoling stated that they can no longer lower prices to cope with the new tax, which will have significant impacts. As the U.S. imposes tariffs on multiple countries, Taiwanese businesses are confused about how to transform and diversify their markets. Although some Taiwanese businesses have begun to explore other markets, the current situation remains difficult. However, Zhai Suoling believes that the situation may still change and may not be the most challenging time.

The United States announced a reciprocal tariff increase of 34% on China starting from the 9th, posing greater challenges for Taiwanese businesses. The president of the Taiwan Enterprises Association analyzed that Taiwanese companies focused on the consumer electronics and furniture industries have a higher proportion of exports to the United States, and are therefore more susceptible to impact. Businesses engaged in toy export trade stated that in the past, they were able to offset clients through price adjustments due to tariff increases, but this time the 34% tariff makes it impossible for the company to lower prices for sales to the United States, significantly affecting their business.

In February and March, the United States imposed a 10% tariff on China, and on April 2, it announced that starting from the 9th, an additional 34% reciprocal tariff would be levied on China. Within just two months, Chinese exporters need to respond quickly to the cumulative 54% tariff imposed by the United States, and the challenges faced by Taiwanese businesses have therefore increased.

The president of the Taiwan Enterprises Association stated that the current situation is more difficult for Taiwanese businesses than ever before. Previously, the U.S.-China trade war mainly targeted Chinese products, but now the United States has also imposed tariffs on countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. At that time, Taiwanese businesses were able to relocate their production lines to Southeast Asia, but now they feel confused about how to develop and diversify markets to reduce risks in exporting to the U.S.

Li Zhenghong pointed out that some Taiwanese businesses had already begun to deploy other markets before the onset of the U.S.-China trade war, so the impact of this tariff on them may be relatively small. Even though consumer spending in the Chinese market is relatively weak, Taiwanese businesses are still actively pursuing transformation, upgrading, and market positioning.

Businesses engaged in toy exports stated that 95% of their products target the international market, with the U.S. market accounting for 60% to 70% of their export orders. He mentioned that tariffs imposed during Trump's administration on certain Chinese industries did not affect toy exports, but this time the tariffs levied on all Chinese goods have made it impossible for the company to provide price subsidies to clients.

Regarding the newly introduced 34% tariff, he stated that the market response has not yet taken shape, and the company has chosen to wait and see. He believes this is the most challenging time in decades of engaged in toy export trade, but it is not necessarily the most difficult time. When looking at the future development of the industry, he stated that although he does not have much hope for the future, he is not overly pessimistic either.