Tariff negotiation team led by Vice Premier to head to US again
The US’ “reciprocal tariffs” are set to be effective on Aug. 1, but Taiwan is yet to reach a formal settlement on the final rate. On Monday, it’s confirmed that later this week, the negotiation team, led by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun will once again head to the US for another round of talks. Taiwan’s target is not worse than Indonesia’s 19%, or at least lower than Japan’s or South Korea’s 25%. Meanwhile, amid allegations that Taiwan’s rate is already decided, at the original 32%, a spokesperson for the AIT instead urged the public to follow updates from US and Taiwan official outlets.
Workers numbered in the hundreds are protesting outside the Executive Yuan, holding an empty bento box symbolizing the precariousness of their livelihoods. They’re furious that the central government has yet to communicate with labor group representatives in person since the US introduced “reciprocal tariffs.”
Tuan Wei-chung
Taiwan Machinery Labor Union director
If SMEs fail, workers will be laid off. We will not accept how the government offers the livelihoods of workers to the US in tribute in this way.
Later this week, the negotiation team comprising Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun, Minister Without Portfolio Yang Jen-ni and others will once again head to the US for the fourth round of negotiations. The Executive Yuan said earlier that the team will uphold two major principles in negotiations, namely to achieve balanced bilateral trade relations and to increase mutual benefits and interests. It also added that the four boundaries to uphold are national and industrial interests, and to safeguard the people’s health and food security. The goal is a rate lower than that of competitors such as Japan and South Korea. The Cabinet also said that they hope Taiwan, like Indonesia, will be able to get tariffs down from 32% to 19%, hopefully even lower.
Lai Jui-lung
Lawmaker (DPP)
Over this period, whether it’s through high-tech industries or crude oil procurement or compliance with many other things, we’ve built great interactions with the US, and hope that the rate can be lowered to 20% or lower.
Voice of Dachrahn Wu
National Central University economics professor
Indonesia ended up with 19% and Vietnam, 20%, mainly because they’ve pledged to fully open their markets. If Taiwan could successfully negotiate for 20%, that would be very, very good already, but I won’t get my hopes up.
It’s alleged that Taiwan’s rate has already been decided, at 32%, and that the government will publicize the result after July 26, once the first round of recall elections have finalized. On Monday, a spokesperson for the AIT said instead, that negotiations are still underway, and suggested to follow updates from US and Taiwan official channels.
Rosalia Wu
DPP legislative caucus
Let allegations be just that, but rumors must be corrected. Even the AIT has come out to clarify. Basically, the AIT has come out to reprimand Jaw Shau-kong. Tariff negotiations between Taiwan and the US are still underway.
Tariffs have become a hot topic as recall elections near. The DPP claims that even the AIT has come out to shut down rumors, and urged campaigners against mass recalls not to weaponize the issue.
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2025-07-22
