Tariff Showdown Doesn’t Shake Confidence
(Taiwan) on 8 July 2025
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Even as U.S. President Donald Trump has successively announced tariff rates on various countries, Taiwan is not on the initial list. Those with a positive outlook believe that the tariff negotiations between the U.S. and Taiwan are moving in a positive direction. Those who are more negative point to the words of the U.S. treasury secretary, that “tariff negotiations between Taiwan and the U.S. are not as smooth as expected.”* Many private finance and foreign affairs experts, as well as former finance officials, suggest that if the tariff negotiations are stuck, they are probably stuck on issues related to agriculture and automobiles.
In a late-night video call to a team of trade negotiators in the U.S. on July 7, President Lai Ching-te encouraged them to focus on “safeguarding the health and food security of the people as their core mission,” making this the substance of negotiations when fighting for reasonable tariffs. Although domestic views in Taiwan on the current tariff negotiations are divided and at a deadlock, they should aim to focus on stabilizing the financial and economic order, industry and public sentiment.
If Taiwan has any control in these negotiations, it must fight wholeheartedly. If it has no control, it still must go all out. The Taiwan-U.S. relationship is sensitive and delicate, and Trump’s attitude toward Taiwan is unpredictable. Even though Taiwan has many valuable aspects that may make the U.S. give tariff concessions, before Trump reveals his cards, no one can confidently say, “Taiwan is on stable ground!”
Having a solid foundation is critical. The tariff rates between Taiwan and the U.S. are about to be revealed. Regardless of whether they are in line with Taiwan’s wishes, the people have confirmed that Taiwan’s strength is in its unique confidence to meet many challenges head on.
*Editor’s note: Although accurately translated, this quoted passage could not be independently verified.