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Taiwan Tariff News and Tracker

Taiwan Tariff News and Tracker

By: Quiet. Please
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 This is your Taiwan Tariff Tracker podcast.

Discover the latest updates and insights with "Taiwan Tariff Tracker," your go-to daily podcast for all things related to the tariffs imposed on Taiwan by the Trump administration and current U.S. policies. Stay informed with expert analyses, in-depth discussions, and breaking news that impact the Taiwanese economy and global trade dynamics. Whether you're an industry professional, a policymaker, or simply curious about international trade, "Taiwan Tariff Tracker" delivers the reliable information you need to understand this complex issue. Tune in every day for comprehensive coverage and thoughtful perspectives on how these tariffs shape the economic landscape.

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Episodes
  • Taiwan Faces 20 Percent US Tariff Amid Tech Export Challenges and Strategic Economic Negotiations for 2025

    Taiwan Faces 20 Percent US Tariff Amid Tech Export Challenges and Strategic Economic Negotiations for 2025
    Aug 15 2025
    Welcome to Taiwan Tariff News and Tracker, your source for the latest headlines, trends, and insights on tariffs impacting Taiwan and the evolving US trade landscape.

    Yesterday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order adjusting a key reciprocal tariff rate, setting the provisional tariff for Taiwan at 20 percent, effective August 7, 2025, as reported by DigiTimes. For Taiwanese exporters, this new policy arrives at a time when the US continues to recalibrate global trade relationships under Trump's leadership, with Taiwan now facing a rate higher than Japan and Korea, whose negotiated rates sit at 15 percent, according to the Global Taiwan Institute.

    Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te responded directly, vowing to deepen trade relations and emphasizing ongoing negotiations for a quick consensus and, hopefully, a more favorable long-term outcome. Anadolu Agency highlighted Lai's optimism for a “win-win” outcome and noted his intent to continue building robust economic security through collaboration with the US and other democracies—especially as tension with China remains elevated.

    Most Taiwanese tech and personal electronics exports—such as smartphones and advanced chips—are currently exempt from the new 20 percent tariff due to sectoral exemptions, but the threat of broader measures lingers. Trump has already hinted at imposing tariffs as high as 100 percent specifically on semiconductor imports. Exemptions for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and other firms investing directly in US manufacturing facilities remain under review, suggesting that expanding US operations could be Taiwan’s best route for rate relief, according to the latest reporting from Mitrade and industry analysts.

    Amid these uncertainties, as Mitrade notes, Taiwan’s economy is adjusting rapidly. Despite the tariff pressure, the nation is raising its 2025 GDP growth forecast to 4.45 percent, driven by a surge in tech exports and accelerated shipments to the US ahead of the tariff deadline—a phenomenon economists call “front-loading.” Large players like TSMC are ramping up American investments; in March, Taiwan even pledged $100 billion for new semiconductor plants in the US, aiming to keep supply chains steady and avoid the highest tariff penalties.

    Analysts from Bloomberg Economics warn, however, that while front-loading has boosted numbers in the near term, lingering trade hostilities and possible escalation of semiconductor tariffs could challenge Taiwan’s growth trajectory over time. Small and medium-sized Taiwanese businesses now confront cost disadvantages against regional rivals due to the higher US tariff. The Lai Administration has yet to commit to reciprocal tariff concessions for US goods, departing from approaches taken by other trading partners.

    Listeners, Taiwan’s government maintains that this 20 percent tariff is “temporary” and expresses hope for a negotiated resolution. But as the US trade deficit with Taiwan widens and tariff policy remains in flux, uncertainty will shape the island’s economic strategies in the months ahead.

    Thank you for tuning in to Taiwan Tariff News and Tracker. Subscribe to stay updated on these critical developments and how they’re shaping the future of Taiwan’s economy and US trade relations. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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    4 mins
  • US Imposes 20% Tariffs on Taiwan Imports, Threatening Tech Supply Chain and Bilateral Trade Relations

    US Imposes 20% Tariffs on Taiwan Imports, Threatening Tech Supply Chain and Bilateral Trade Relations
    Aug 13 2025
    Listeners, welcome to the August 13 edition of Taiwan Tariff News and Tracker. Today’s headlines bring urgent updates on US tariffs affecting Taiwan under the Trump administration, with broad implications for trade and industry on both sides of the Pacific.

    The Trump administration’s new tariff structure took effect this month, and as reported by the Global Taiwan Institute, a 20 percent reciprocal tariff rate is now being applied to nearly all imports from Taiwan, with only a handful of sectoral exemptions. These new tariffs were announced on July 31 and mark a significant departure from the previous landscape, where many Taiwanese goods received preferential or *de minimis* tariff treatment. Items such as automobiles and metals remain subject to even higher rates, while strategic sectors like semiconductors and personal electronics retain critical exemptions — at least for now.

    This 20 percent rate is notably higher than the reciprocal rates currently set for Japan and South Korea, which both negotiated 15 percent with Washington. According to Taiwan’s Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun, negotiations with the United States remain ongoing. Speaking to press in Taipei, Cheng explained that Taiwan is determined to seek a more reasonable, lower tariff and relief from so-called tariff stacking. The vice premier was clear: Taiwan’s industrial and agricultural exports are burdened not just by the baseline 20 percent, but also by existing most-favored nation duties, which average 3.1 percent for industry and five percent for agriculture.

    Taiwan’s drive for relief comes as the US trade imbalance with Taiwan grows, driven in large part by American demand for Taiwanese semiconductors. The two sides have deep interdependence in the high-tech supply chain, and this tariff hike threatens longstanding arrangements. Policy analysts warn these new tariffs put Taiwanese small and medium-sized exporters at a steep cost disadvantage against their regional competitors. They also note that President Trump has threatened much higher tariffs — up to 100 percent — on semiconductors if a new deal is not reached soon. Arisa Liu, a researcher at the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research, said that these moves threaten to push more semiconductor production overseas, raising consumer costs and creating broader market uncertainty.

    Globally, Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff program has faced legal and diplomatic turbulence. The executive orders invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and introducing so-called reciprocal tariffs—like that 20 percent for Taiwan—have drawn criticism from economists and trade partners alike for exceeding actual foreign tariff levels. The policy has prompted court challenges and sharp trade responses around the world.

    Taiwan’s government has responded with targeted relief for affected industries, offering support for companies in machine tools, heavy electrical, plastics, and related sectors to upgrade technology and seek new export markets. The final details of any agreement or further relief will go before Taiwan’s Legislature, ensuring transparency and legislative oversight as talks continue.

    Listeners, the negotiation table is still in flux, and the coming weeks will be critical for both Taiwan’s exporters and US importers. We’ll continue to track every announcement and legal twist.

    Thank you for tuning in to Taiwan Tariff News and Tracker. Don’t forget to subscribe for ongoing updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

    For more check out https://www.quietperiodplease.com/

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    4 mins
  • Taiwan Braces for Impact as Trump Imposes 20% Tariff Amid Ongoing Negotiations and Industry Adaptation

    Taiwan Braces for Impact as Trump Imposes 20% Tariff Amid Ongoing Negotiations and Industry Adaptation
    Aug 11 2025
    You’re listening to Taiwan Tariff News and Tracker for Monday, August 11, 2025. Here’s what listeners need to know right now about U.S. tariffs, the Trump administration’s latest moves, and how they’re hitting Taiwan.

    Taiwan’s cabinet says talks with Washington are ongoing to improve the new U.S. tariff regime on Taiwan-made goods after President Donald Trump imposed a 20% levy effective August 7. Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun said the goal is a “better and more reasonable” rate and that negotiators are prepared to brief parliament on progress, according to Reuters. The Straits Times also reports those negotiations are continuing and the rate isn’t final.

    Industry is already adjusting. Taiwan’s flagship bicycle makers, Giant and Merida, say the 20% U.S. tariff is now layered on top of existing MFN and sector duties, pushing effective bike tariffs to roughly 25.5%–31%, according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency. Giant has paused U.S. discount promotions, raised retail prices about 10% to offset costs, and is leaning on its diversified production footprint in China, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Vietnam to manage shipments. Merida says it will keep a flexible global shipment strategy and notes the U.S. market is a smaller slice of its portfolio, limiting near-term impact.

    Chip headlines are front and center. The Straits Times reports relief in Taipei that Trump’s threatened 100% tariff on semiconductor imports hasn’t bitten yet because companies committing to make chips in the U.S. would be exempt. With TSMC pledging about US$165 billion to build six advanced fabs in Arizona, analysts say the company could be largely spared. But smaller Taiwanese chip suppliers may face pressure from big clients to shift capacity to U.S. soil to avoid duties, potentially draining investment from Taiwan and reshaping its role in the supply chain. Experts warn that higher chip tariffs would raise device prices and could depress electronics demand, adding uncertainty for Taiwan’s semiconductor ecosystem.

    A broader tariff decision looms over global trade. ABC News says a 90-day pause on higher tariffs for China expires Tuesday, with no final word from President Trump on an extension. Washington has floated baseline tariffs around 50% on most products and additional duties tied to fentanyl enforcement; current imports from China face a 10% baseline plus a 20% fentanyl-related tariff on top, with some items higher. Any escalation would reverberate through supply chains that run through Taiwan, from chips to components.

    One more note from TaiwanPlus News: officials emphasize the U.S. “reciprocal tariff” on most Taiwanese goods remains under negotiation and the 20% rate is not final, underscoring that this is a live, moving target.

    That’s the latest on tariffs, Trump-era trade policy, and Taiwan’s positioning. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

    For more check out https://www.quietperiodplease.com/

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    3 mins
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