U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced a 25% tariff on all imported steel and aluminum, effective March 4. The Foreign Ministry stated this Tuesday that they will work with the Economic Affairs Ministry and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) to better understand the new tariff measures and protect domestic manufacturers.
Trump ordered the import tax despite warnings from Canada’s Minister of Innovation Francois-Phillippe Champagne and Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Canada accounted for more than half of aluminum imported into the U.S. last year and would be most strongly affected by the tariffs. Although Trump stipulated there would be no exceptions or exemptions, foreign media has reported that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Trump was considering exemptions based on Australia’s trade surplus with the U.S.
Moving forward, the Foreign Ministry said they will continue to prioritize assisting manufacturers in expanding their markets and enhancing Taiwan’s position in the global supply chain. They will also seek out more favorable treatment for Taiwanese manufacturers seeking to invest and expand overseas, while continuing to foster good bilateral economic and trade relations with the U.S.