Taipei: As U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to impose tariffs on chips from Taiwan, Economics Minister Kuo Jyh-huei stated Thursday that officials from his ministry are currently in Washington on a "routine visit" during which they will gather information.
According to Focus Taiwan, with Trump threatening to place a tariff of up to 100 percent on semiconductors produced in Taiwan, Deputy Economics Minister Cynthia Kiang flew to the United States on Tuesday. Kuo had mentioned on February 8 that Kiang would meet with Trump's team to prevent the imposition of tariffs, but he did not reiterate that claim on Thursday.
Instead, while speaking on the sidelines of a Taipei forum that day, Kuo informed reporters that Kiang has long been responsible for international trade issues and that the U.S. trip includes "routine visits" and information gathering. When asked if the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) would communicate with Trump's team to clarify that Taiwan did not "steal America's chip industry," Kuo did not directly answer, stating only that many people lack an understanding of the history of semiconductor industry development.
Kuo suggested that the ministry's International Trade Administration should engage more with external parties to enhance their understanding of the chip industry. Amid uncertainties surrounding U.S. tariff threats, Kuo mentioned that the MOEA has established a task force to integrate resources from Taiwan's overseas offices and provide real-time support for Taiwanese businesses abroad.
Additionally, the ministry plans to set up an investment and trade service center in the U.S. to assist Taiwanese businesses with supply chain planning, Kuo added. In a speech to Republicans on January 27, Trump expressed his intention to impose tariffs on Taiwan to bring chip production back to the U.S., claiming that about 98 percent of the chip business went to Taiwan and that "we want them to come back."