TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's premier research institution has cast doubt on the island's economic outlook amid escalating global trade tensions. A top official from the Academia Sinica (中央研究院) announced Thursday (April 10) that the previously projected 3.1% economic growth for 2025 is no longer achievable. Senior officials are now closely monitoring economic indicators to determine the magnitude of the necessary downward revision.
The economic recalibration comes as a direct response to President Donald Trump's erratic trade policies, which have injected significant volatility into Taiwan's export-dependent economy. The prestigious research body had issued its 3.1% growth forecast before the recent escalation in tariff threats. Taiwan's parliament, the Legislative Yuan (立法院), convened its Education and Culture Committee (教育及文化委員會) for an urgent assessment of the situation, with legislators pressing Academia Sinica's leadership for insights into how the American tariff regime might reshape Taiwan's economic trajectory.
During the parliamentary session, Academia Sinica Vice President Peng Shin-kun (彭信坤) identified hidden trade obstacles as potentially more damaging than formal tariffs. Peng emphasized that addressing these non-tariff barriers could significantly cushion Taiwan's economy against Trump's trade policies. The economist acknowledged that while Taiwan maintains low statutory tariffs — generally below 2% — certain protected sectors such as automobiles and health foods face higher duties that have attracted American criticism. Peng also noted that Taiwan encounters similar barriers when exporting to the U.S., particularly regarding import quotas, quarantine regulations, and restrictions on genetically modified products.
