TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs, J.W. Kuo (郭智輝), unveiled a comprehensive strategy for handling negotiations with the United States regarding tariffs on Wednesday (April 9), announcing that the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA, 經濟部), the government agency overseeing economic policy and international trade, has developed a new consultation service aimed at helping industries navigate the complex challenges posed by potential tariff adjustments.
During his formal presentation to the Legislative Yuan Economic Committee, Taiwan's parliament's economic oversight body, Kuo explained that his ministry has been actively collecting market intelligence to assess the current trade environment. The minister highlighted the expansion of existing support mechanisms, including an immediate service center designed to provide rapid assistance to affected businesses. Kuo further revealed that an expert advisory group is being formed to develop tailored solutions for companies facing tariff-related challenges.
Kuo emphasized the flexible nature of the government's administrative approach to the tariff situation, describing the measures as "dynamic" in response to evolving circumstances. The minister left open the question of whether Taiwanese officials would participate in the upcoming SelectUSA Investment Summit scheduled for May, a key event for international investment in the United States. Responding to media inquiries about Taiwan's status on the U.S. priority list for potential tariff reductions, Kuo stated that the government has developed a comprehensive negotiation strategy with clearly defined responsibilities assigned to various government units.
When questioned about recent reports suggesting that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (台積電), the world's largest contract chipmaker, might face fines exceeding US$1 billion (NT$33 billion) over chips allegedly found in Huawei's (華為) Ascend 910B AI processor, Kuo maintained a cautious stance. The minister stated that the Ministry of Economic Affairs has not yet received any official information regarding this matter and declined to provide further comment on the sensitive issue involving China's technology giant.
