Taiwan Criticizes U.S. 32% Tariff as “Unfair” and “Unreasonable”
On April 3, Taiwan’s Executive Yuan criticized the United States’ newly announced 32 percent tariff on Taiwanese goods as “unfair,” “deeply unreasonable,” and “highly regrettable,” stating that it would lodge a representation with Washington.
In a statement, Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee said the Taiwanese government would “lodge a solemn representation with the U.S. Trade Representative” and continue negotiations with Washington to “ensure the interests of our nation and industries.”
At a news conference on April 2 in Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 10 percent baseline tariff on imports from all countries, effective April 5. Countries with larger trade surpluses with the U.S. will face higher “reciprocal tariffs” starting April 9, including Taiwan, which will be subject to a 32 percent duty.
In the statement, Lee said the planned 32 percent tariff is “unfair to Taiwan,” as it “does not accurately reflect the trade and economic situation” between the two sides.
She noted that Taiwan’s exports to the U.S. have risen sharply in recent years, mainly due to surging U.S. demand for semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI)-related products.
Lee added that many Taiwanese information and communications technology firms have shifted their manufacturing from China to Taiwan in response to increased U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods during Trump’s first term and U.S. technology restrictions on China imposed due to national security concerns.
In that regard, Taiwan should not be subject to high tariffs given its “tremendous contributions to the U.S. economy and national security,” Lee said.
Trump’s 32 percent tariffs would primarily target computers, computer parts, and integrated circuits — the core of Taiwan’s exports to the United States. Last year, Taiwan exported US$51.49 billion worth of data processing equipment and parts, as well as US$7.4 billion worth of integrated circuits to the U.S., accounting for 46.2 percent and 6.7 percent of total exports, respectively.
Tariffs on those products would affect the Taiwanese and U.S. economies, as Taiwan’s servers and chip-based products have been crucial to the growth of the AI sector, an official said on condition of anonymity.
Sources:
[1] Focus Taiwan
[2] Taipei Times
[3] Taiwan’s Executive Yuan (in Hanji)
U.S. Senate Committee Approves Resolution to Counter China’s False Claims Over Taiwan
On March 27, the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations approved Senate Resolution 86 (S.Res.86) to counter China’s mischaracterization of UN Resolution 2758 and its exploitation of the U.S. “One China policy” to falsely assert sovereignty over Taiwan and further isolate it internationally.
The resolution emphasizes that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)Resolution 2758did not take a position on Taiwan’s ultimate political status, but addressed only the question of which government would represent “China” at the United Nations.
It makes clear that UNGA Resolution 2758 and the United States’ “One China policy” — along with similar policies of its partners — are not equivalent and do not endorse the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) “One China principle,” which falsely claims that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.
The leadership of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is spearheading this bipartisan, bicameral effort through S.Res.86 and its House counterpart, H.Res.148.
In the Senate, the resolution was introduced by Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Chris Coons (D-DE). In the House, Representatives Young Kim (R-CA) and Ami Bera (D-CA) introduced the measure, joined by Representatives John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL).
FAPA President Dr. Su-Mei Kao stated: “We commend Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch and Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen for their leadership in swiftly advancing S.Res.86 through the committee. It is crucial for Congress to unequivocally affirm that the United States has never recognized the People’s Republic of China’s territorial claim over Taiwan.”
Dr. Kao further emphasized: “Countering China’s weaponization of UN Resolution 2758 is vital to safeguarding Taiwan’s international standing and ensuring regional stability. Taiwan is a key U.S. geopolitical ally, a full-fledged democracy, and the United States’ seventh-largest trading partner. We must ensure that Taiwan is not unfairly isolated on the international stage as a result of China’s coercion and intimidation.”
Sources:
[1] U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee
[2] Taipei Times
Taiwan International Solidarity Act and Taiwan Allies Fund Act Reintroduced
On March 27, U.S. Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Young Kim (R-CA) reintroduced the bipartisan “Taiwan International Solidarity Act” (H.R.2416) to counter China’s fabricated claims of sovereignty over Taiwan and its growing efforts to exclude Taiwan from international organizations. The legislation previously passed the House in July 2023 but stalled in the Senate.
The bill clarifies that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971, “did not address the issue of representation of Taiwan and its people in the United Nations or any related organizations, nor did the resolution . . . include any statement pertaining to Taiwan’s sovereignty.”
It emphasizes that the United States “opposes any initiative that seeks to change Taiwan’s status without the consent of the [Taiwanese] people.”
Additionally, the act “encourages the U.S. to work with allies and partners to oppose the People’s Republic of China’s [PRC] efforts to undermine Taiwan’s diplomatic relationships and partnerships globally,” according to a press release from Rep. Connolly’s office.
Meanwhile, on March 31 in the Senate and April 1 in the House, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), John Curtis (R-UT), and Andy Kim (D-NJ) joined U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) in reintroducing the bipartisan “Taiwan Allies Fund Act” (S.1216 & H.R.2559), aimed at countering coercion by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and supporting Taiwan’s international participation.
The CCP has systematically pressured or enticed countries to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to the PRC through coercion, bribes, and economic incentives. Between 2013 and 2024, Taiwan lost 11 diplomatic allies — most recently Nauru in January 2024 — reducing its number of formal diplomatic partners to just 12.
The CCP has also increasingly “weaponized” trade and economic relations to pressure countries into adopting pro-China policies and to penalize those pursuing closer ties with Taiwan.
The Taiwan Allies Fund Act seeks to strengthen Taiwan’s global network of partners by authorizing $120 million over three years to provide foreign assistance to Taiwan’s official and unofficial allies facing coercion and pressure from the CCP, according to a press release from Sen. Van Hollen’s office.
Sources:
[1] Rep. Gerry Connolly’s Office
[2] Taipei Times
[3] Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s Office
U.S., EU, and Allies Denounce China’s Military Drills, Oppose Coercive Change to Taiwan’s Status Quo
The United States and the European Union (EU) reiterated their opposition to any unilateral change to the “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait after China launched two days of large-scale military drills around Taiwan beginning on April 1. Japan, the United Kingdom (U.K.), Canada, and Germany also voiced their concerns.
When asked about the military exercises, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during an April 1 briefing that President Donald Trump “is emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait, encouraging the peaceful resolution of these cross-strait issues, [and] reiterating our opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.”
In a statement issued the same day, U.S. Department of State spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said the United States “supports peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo, including through force or coercion.” She emphasized that “the United States’ enduring commitment to our allies and partners, including Taiwan, continues.”
Meanwhile, in an April 1 statement, a spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU’s diplomatic branch, said: “The EU has a direct interest in the preservation of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. We oppose any unilateral actions that change the status quo by force or coercion.”
On April 2, Japan, the U.K., Canada, and Germany also expressed concern over China’s military drills around Taiwan, reaffirming their shared interest in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and rejecting any unilateral or coercive change to Taiwan’s status.
