TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's business community expressed cautious relief Thursday (April 10) after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension of his controversial reciprocal tariff policy. The Taipei Chamber of Commerce (台北市商業會), a leading business association representing thousands of Taiwanese enterprises, voiced concern over the unpredictable nature of Trump's trade policies despite the temporary reprieve that reduces tariffs to 10% for Taiwan and 74 other countries.
The announcement triggered immediate market optimism, with Taiwan's stock indices climbing as exporters gained breathing room to ship goods without punitive tariffs. Chamber officials noted that while current shipments can proceed with reduced anxiety, the 90-day window offers merely a brief respite. This concern is particularly acute for Taiwan's basic furniture manufacturers, who export between US$5 billion to US$6 billion (approximately NT$164 billion to NT$196.8 billion) annually to the American market.
The business group warned that despite the tariff pause, underlying labor challenges including unpaid leave and rotational work shifts would persist without a long-term resolution. Chamber representatives urged Taiwan's central government to intensify diplomatic efforts during the 90-day reprieve to secure more permanent arrangements with Washington. The organization framed the crisis as a potential catalyst for Taiwan to fundamentally reassess its export strategy and recalibrate its trade relationship with its second-largest trading partner.
