Taiwan Urges Increased U.S. Procurement amid Trade Concerns

In response to changing U.S. trade policies, Taiwan's Central Bank President Yang Chin-long has called for expanding procurement from the United States to mitigate the potential risks of being placed on the currency monitoring list or facing sanctions. Traditionally, Taiwan has organized annual procurement teams under former Vice President Vincent Siew, aiming to strengthen economic cooperation between the two regions. Yang pointed out that Taiwan enjoyed a trade surplus of $50 billion with the U.S. last year and anticipates an increase in that figure this year, underscoring the need for careful handling of U.S. tariff threats. Concerns prevail in the market as former President Trump returns to the White House, which may lead to a reassessment of the trade advantages with Taiwan. Experts have also noted the strategic value of collaboration between the U.S. and Taiwan's semiconductor industry, suggesting that Taiwan should seize this opportunity. Furthermore, regarding the impact on economic structure and the escalation of tariffs, Taiwan needs long-term planning and response strategies rather than merely short-term measures.