TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun (鄭麗君) delivered a comprehensive report to the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, on Monday (Aug. 25) outlining progress in critical Taiwan-U.S. tariff negotiations. The high-level briefing addressed mounting concerns over market access barriers and examined far-reaching implications for Taiwan's export-dependent industries. Officials emphasized the strategic importance of these discussions for Taiwan's economic future amid evolving trade relationships.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) legislator Wang Ting-yu (王定宇) pressed officials about ongoing negotiations regarding zero-tariff access for complete vehicle markets. Vice Premier Cheng confirmed that automotive trade liberalization remains within the current negotiation framework between both nations. Cheng acknowledged that importing U.S.-specification vehicles currently faces both traditional tariff barriers and complex non-tariff obstacles, including stringent safety certification standards that demand extensive bilateral coordination.
Vice Premier Cheng (鄭麗君) revealed that Taiwan and the United States have conducted three intensive virtual negotiation sessions since August, demonstrating sustained diplomatic momentum. The Vice Premier assured lawmakers that Taiwan's government will carefully balance industrial competitiveness, public health considerations, and food security concerns throughout ongoing discussions. Cheng noted that while no final agreement has emerged and no concluding summit has occurred, U.S. Treasury officials hope to finalize negotiations by October's end.