Taiwan is exploring a range of strategies to counter potential new tariffs from the United States, including expanding energy imports and lowering its own tariffs to balance trade relations, government officials revealed Thursday.
U.S. officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, have indicated that the primary focus of new tariffs will be on 15 countries with the largest trade surpluses with the United States. Bessent has referred to these nations as the “Dirty 15,” although he has not named them explicitly.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Taiwan is among these 15 countries, which also include China, South Korea, and the European Union.
The tariffs are expected to be announced on April 2.
During a parliamentary session, Taiwan’s Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs, Cynthia Kiang, confirmed that a newly established trade task force had devised “preliminary plans” to boost energy product imports from the U.S. This move is aimed at strengthening energy cooperation and ensuring the stability of Taiwan’s natural gas supply.
Earlier this month, Taiwan’s state-owned energy company, CPC Corp, signed a deal with Alaska Gasline Development Corp to purchase liquefied natural gas and invest in the project. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te emphasized that this partnership would bolster the island’s energy security.
In response to questions about possible reductions in car tariffs following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on automobile imports, Kiang stated that the task force had already “drafted relevant plans.”
Additionally, Taiwan’s Finance Minister, Chuang Tsui-yun, noted during the same parliamentary session that the government was considering reducing import tariffs on health supplements and other products.
Taiwan’s central bank also defended the island’s trade and currency performance on Wednesday, attributing the high current account surplus to structural factors that the U.S. understands.
Taiwan has a significant trade surplus with the United States, which grew by 83% last year. The island’s exports to the U.S. reached a record $111.4 billion, largely driven by demand for high-tech products, including semiconductors—an area where Taiwan holds a dominant position.
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