TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) convened an emergency government meeting on Monday (March 2) to address the escalating Middle East conflict and its impact on international oil prices. The United States and Israel conducted joint airstrikes on Iran on Saturday (Feb. 28), intensifying regional tensions.
The Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet, issued a sudden notification on Monday morning, prompting Cho to cancel his scheduled appearance at the "2026 Tourism Festival" (2026觀光節慶祝大會) at 10 a.m. to focus on the evolving situation in the Middle East. Legislator Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱) revealed that Taiwan has diversified its crude oil import sources, reducing Middle Eastern imports to 35% and procuring from Canada and Australia.
Chung emphasized that the government has committed to maintaining stable energy prices, particularly for household liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas. He urged Taiwan's CPC Corporation (台灣中油) and related departments to secure raw material sources to ensure an uninterrupted public supply.
During an interview with Taiwan's legislature, the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Chung responded affirmatively when asked whether the Middle East conflict had prompted the government and the Presidential Office to activate contingency measures. He noted, "The Middle East is a crucial oil-exporting region, and the war has disrupted shipping, affecting not only Taiwan but the entire world."