TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan Cement (台泥) Chairman Chang An-ping (張安平) warned on Wednesday (Dec. 17) that Taiwan risks becoming a dumping ground for foreign surplus cement, threatening thousands of local industry workers' livelihoods. Chang echoed Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming's (彭啓明) call to reduce reliance on imported cement. The warning comes amid growing concerns about unfair pricing practices by foreign cement exporters targeting the Taiwan market.
Customs data from the Ministry of Finance (財政部) shows Japan exported cement to Taiwan at NT$1,400 (around US$44.60) per ton from mid-2024 to mid-2025, Taiwan Cement said. This price is NT$2,400 (around US$76.40) cheaper than Japan's domestic price, indicating potential dumping practices. Indonesian cement clinker sells for NT$1,200 (around US$38.20) per ton domestically but reaches Taiwan at just NT$680 (around US$21.70), nearly half the price.
The government imposed anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese cement in July, but customs data shows the cost of Vietnamese cement arriving in Taiwan still dropped by 15%, with clinker prices falling by 22%. Chang criticized Taiwan's zero-tariff policy on imported cement, calling it unfair to the local industry. He urged implementing a "single source" regulation to ensure structural safety and consistent quality in construction projects.
The Ministry of Environment plans to introduce a nation-to-nation carbon footprint verification mechanism and a Taiwan version of the European Union's carbon tax for trial reporting in 2026. Chang emphasized that imported cement must meet international standards through third-party verification. Taiwan Cement has invested in upgrading its Heping (和平) and Suao (蘇澳) plants to process industrial waste into alternative raw materials and fuels, a responsibility importers cannot assume. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.4)