TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) moved to calm market jitters on Tuesday (April 1) as he assured the public that the island's government has thoroughly prepared for the impending reciprocal tariffs announced by U.S. President Trump. Speaking at a hastily arranged press briefing in Taipei, the premier emphasized that the government's response strategy rests on three main principles: comprehensive governmental preparedness, manageable economic risks, and robust industry support mechanisms.
Cho highlighted the significant global adjustments currently reshaping geopolitics, economic trade orders, and industrial structures across the Asia-Pacific region. The premier revealed that over recent months, his administration has diligently monitored and analyzed various potential scenarios, developing contingency plans and strategic responses for each possibility. In a demonstration of the government's high-level attention to the matter, Cho noted that just days earlier on Sunday, he and Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun (鄭麗君) had personally briefed the president alongside members of the specialized Taiwan-U.S. economic and trade working group, where they reaffirmed their commitment to the three-principle approach.
Cho pointed to Taiwan's resilient economic fundamentals as a source of confidence, noting that exports have shown remarkably strong performance for 16 consecutive months despite global uncertainties. In January and February alone, the island's exports reached US$80.02 billion (around NT$2.66 trillion), marking a substantial 16.8% increase from the previous year's figures. The premier acknowledged recent volatility in Taiwan's stock market but characterized these fluctuations as reflections of broader global trends rather than indicators of domestic economic weakness. He emphasized that the government remains vigilant and has prepared tailored response plans to address various potential scenarios and industry-specific needs that might arise from new tariff structures.
Cho concluded his remarks with a call for national unity and economic confidence in the face of external pressures. The premier urged Taiwan's industrial leaders and citizens alike to maintain faith in the government's extensive preparations, repeatedly asserting that potential risks have been thoroughly assessed and remain under control. With a tone that balanced caution with optimism, he encouraged all sectors of Taiwanese society to stand together with the government in facing these international challenges, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a steady economic course rather than reacting with panic to short-term market disruptions.
