TAIPEI (TVBS News) — As global markets navigate uncertain trade waters, one of Taiwan's most influential technology executives offered a message of resilience on Tuesday (April 15). Tung Tzu-hsien (童子賢), chairman of Pegatron Group, a major Apple supplier and electronics manufacturing giant, expressed confidence in Taiwan's economic fortitude amid volatile U.S. tariff policies, stressing the importance of maintaining focus on broader global market opportunities.
The tech executive painted a vivid picture of the current trade environment, noting that tariff policies shift "three to four times a week," generating significant market uncertainty. Tung questioned the fundamental purpose behind these fluctuating U.S. trade measures, wondering aloud whether they represent policy instruments or ultimate goals. "It's like a typhoon or tornado," he remarked, employing weather metaphors to characterize the unpredictable trade climate facing Taiwanese manufacturers.
Tung offered reassurance by pointing to Taiwan's economic fundamentals, citing substantial foreign exchange reserves and strong national savings rates as bulwarks against present challenges. The business leader emphasized how Taiwanese companies have developed considerable expertise in factory relocation and supply chain adaptation through decades of global manufacturing experience. These capabilities, he suggested, have uniquely positioned the island's industrial sector to weather trade disruptions and policy volatility.
While acknowledging America's economic importance, Tung offered a broader perspective by noting the United States represents approximately 26% of global GDP. He cautioned against letting U.S. tariff policies overshadow opportunities in the remaining 74% of the world economy. The Pegatron chairman contextualized Taiwan's situation within a wider international framework, observing that Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, and Canada confront comparable trade challenges, emphasizing the global nature of current economic tensions. ★