TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) convened an urgent party caucus meeting Tuesday morning (Aug. 19) to address mounting concerns over U.S. trade tariffs affecting Taiwan. Taiwan's legislature formally resolved to summon Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君), and other cabinet officials to deliver comprehensive reports on tariff negotiations Aug. 25. The decisive move reflects growing parliamentary pressure for transparency regarding Taiwan's trade relationship with the United States.
The parliamentary action emerges amid conflicting statements from President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), who assured citizens that U.S.-imposed 20% tariffs remain temporary measures. However, Taiwan's Office of Trade Negotiations confirmed that these tariffs are cumulative, creating uncertainty about their economic impact. The crucial Aug. 25 session will commence at 10:30 a.m. and consolidate discussions with previously scheduled meetings on Aug. 22 and 26.
Legislative leaders established that any post-typhoon recovery budget proposal submitted by the Executive Yuan Taiwan's cabinet before Aug. 21 will be incorporated into the Aug. 22 agenda. Central government officials must present supplementary budget reports for fiscal year 114 during the Aug. 26 session. The caucus structured questioning procedures with 10 representatives each from the Kuomintang and Democratic Progressive Party, plus two from the Taiwan People's Party, granting each member 15-minute inquiry periods. ◼
