TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's environment minister announced Tuesday (Sept. 23) that carbon fees will generate NT$4 billion to NT$4.5 billion (around US$132 million to US$149 million) next year. Minister Peng Chi-ming (彭啓明) said the government is exploring relief measures for companies hit by U.S. reciprocal tariffs.
Peng spoke at the Asia Carbon Pricing Forum (2025亞洲碳定價論壇) in Taipei, explaining how U.S. tariffs created uneven impacts across industries. Successful companies face higher carbon fees while tariff-affected businesses need government assistance. Officials are considering carbon fee discounts, installment plans, or deferred payments depending on final tariff outcomes.
Traditional industries suffer most from tariff impacts while high-tech sectors like semiconductors face higher carbon fees due to substantial emissions. Taiwan's carbon fee system launched this year, requiring major emitters to pay based on emissions levels. Nearly 90% of over 460 major emitting companies have submitted voluntary reduction plans.
Industries with high carbon leakage coefficients including steel, petrochemical, and cement could receive carbon fee reductions up to 80%. Peng assured these industries that actual fees would remain manageable. The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan's economic policy body, continues discussing relief measures for tariff-affected industries. ◼
