Taiwan business leaders confident despite U.S. tariff woes

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's business leaders expressed confidence in the nation's ability to weather U.S. tariff impacts during the Taiwan Venture Capital Summit (台灣創投年會) on Tuesday (Aug. 12). Kinpo Group (金仁寶集團) President Hsu Sheng-hsiung (許勝雄), Compal Electronics Chairman Ray Chen (陳瑞聰), and AcBel Polytech Chairman Jerry Hsu (許介立) voiced optimism about Taiwan's economic resilience.

Hsu Sheng-hsiung emphasized the significant impact of reciprocal tariffs on Taiwan's traditional industries, including machinery, machine tools and textiles. He urged the government to provide technical upgrades, transformation guidance and subsidies while maintaining exchange rate stability. Ray Chen noted that while Taiwan's information and communications technology industry benefits from tariff exemptions, traditional sectors may face continued challenges.

Chen revealed that Compal has relocated production lines for U.S.-bound exports out of China, limiting operational impact from the tariffs. Jerry Hsu identified tariffs as the most significant recent challenge, emphasizing greater pressure on traditional and machinery industries. He called for government action on exchange rate stability, particularly regarding trends in Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia.

The three leaders believe Taiwan can overcome tariff challenges through policy coordination, industrial adjustments and international deployment. They urged the government to actively seek reciprocal tariff solutions and ensure exchange rate stability to maintain Taiwan's competitiveness. President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) attended the summit amid mounting political pressure.

A TVBS survey released Monday (Aug. 11) showed President Lai's trust rating at 36% and satisfaction with his administration at 28%, both record lows. Public dissatisfaction with Lai's handling of the tariff issue reached 52%, with only 32% expressing satisfaction. His response to southern Taiwan disaster relief during Typhoon Danas also drew criticism, with 58% dissatisfied and only 26% satisfied.

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) received similarly low ratings, with only 26% satisfied with his administration and 52% dissatisfied. President Lai faces external tariff pressures and internal political challenges, with opposition parties controlling the Legislative Yuan (立法院) and declining public support. The TVBS survey, conducted Aug. 1-8, interviewed 1,044 Taiwanese citizens with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.0 percentage points.