TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) summoned representatives from across the political spectrum for an urgent closed-door meeting on Monday at the Executive Yuan (Taiwan's cabinet, 行政院) to formulate the island's response to potentially devastating U.S. tariffs. The high-stakes gathering comes as Taiwan grapples with the economic implications of Washington's recently announced 32% reciprocal tariff, which threatens to disrupt the export-dependent economy.
Prior to entering the discussions, Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 台灣民眾黨) caucus leader Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) outlined his party's priorities, stressing the urgent need for tangible government interventions to shield vulnerable industries, workers, and families from the tariff's fallout. Huang called for elevated leadership on the crisis, suggesting that President Lai Ching-te should personally spearhead a comprehensive national conference bringing together major political parties alongside industry and labor representatives, while insisting that Premier Cho must provide an immediate briefing to the legislature.
The political tensions surrounding the tariff response were further highlighted when TPP legislator Chang Chi-kai (張啓楷) publicly rebuked the ruling Democratic Progressive Party for what he characterized as contradictory behavior — simultaneously calling for national unity while reportedly advancing a mass recall petition against opposition figures. Chang demanded an immediate cessation of such partisan maneuvers during the economic crisis.
The high-level meeting drew an impressive array of government officials, including Deputy Premier Cheng Li-chun (鄭麗君), Executive Yuan Secretary-General Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫), Minister Yang Jen-ni (楊珍妮), government spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝), and Deputy Secretary-General Wang Kuei-lien (王貴蓮), alongside representatives from various political parties. Notably absent from the proceedings was Legislative Yuan (Taiwan's parliament, 立法院) President Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), who despite receiving an invitation, did not participate in the discussions.
