TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Amid a temporary suspension of reciprocal tariffs by the United States, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) called for national unity during a press briefing Monday (April 14). The mayor implored Taiwanese officials to set aside partisan differences during this economically sensitive period. City officials have already formed an interdepartmental monitoring team to track developments, with expectations that targeted electronics tariffs could materialize within two months.
The controversy began when the Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨), Taiwan's main opposition party, suggested implementing retaliatory tariffs against American imports. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) Secretary-General Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) swiftly condemned the proposal, accusing the KMT of siding with Beijing against Washington. Mayor Chiang, a KMT member himself, countered by emphasizing public sentiment favoring political cohesion rather than intensifying domestic divisions.
In his address, Chiang urged Taiwan's central government to maintain vigilance regarding tariff developments and to articulate clear strategies for assisting vulnerable businesses and citizens. The mayor then pivoted to security concerns, challenging the ruling DPP's handling of espionage matters and dismissing their criticism as "absurd." He reiterated his call for national solidarity when confronting international pressures.
The exchange intensified when Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), head of Taiwan's cabinet, admonished the Taipei government to uphold its dignity as the capital and avoid complications with China. Mayor Chiang responded sharply, recommending that Premier Cho focus instead on alleged espionage breaches within the Presidential Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA, 外交部) that occurred during the DPP's administration. ★