TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) criticized Taiwan's current tariff rates (20%) Friday (Aug. 1), arguing they exceed those imposed on Japan (15%) and South Korea (15%). The mayor accused the government of misleading citizens about Taiwan's tariff standings compared to regional neighbors. Chiang called for national unity to confront mounting economic challenges facing the island democracy.
Mayor Chiang highlighted that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) Taiwan's ruling party previously assured citizens that Taiwan's tariffs would remain lower than regional competitors. He stated "today's outcome clearly does not reflect the facts — this is a failure on the part of the government." Chiang urged President Lai to halt the large-scale recall scheduled for Aug. 23, emphasizing national unity's importance in addressing tariff challenges.
Chiang emphasized that Taiwan's 20 percent tariffs combined with a 12 percent increase in exchange rates have severely undermined Taiwanese manufacturers' competitiveness. The mayor noted that Japan, South Korea, and the European Union face only 15 percent tariffs, while the Philippines and Indonesia enjoy even lower rates. These disparities raise serious concerns about Taiwan's potential marginalization in regional economic competition.
The mayor stressed securing optimal tariff conditions for semiconductor and server products, urging Taiwan's central government to avoid disappointing citizens. Chiang demanded transparency in trade negotiations, calling on officials to reveal negotiation processes and exchanged conditions. This disclosure would enable citizens to anticipate and prepare responses to future economic challenges. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$29.978)
