Public Reactions to US Trade Deal
TAIWANESE PUBLIC CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT TRADE AGREEMENT
REPORTER:
The Taiwan stock market set a record early Friday morning. That follows the signing of a US-Taiwan trade deal on Thursday.
Taiwanese manufacturers reacted positively to the news.
This 5% reduction is truly a relief for us. Customs duties and sales tax added together, it might be 50% or even 60%. But if the tariffs are reduced then for consumers or for us operating this industry I actually think it's all beneficial.
REPORTER:
Aside from businesses, the US–Taiwan trade deal was met with cautious optimism by people in Taipei.
With tariffs now set at 15% people will be more at ease. So it's a good thing. It's good for Taiwan but geopolitically, I don't know yet. We have a very strong neighbor and we don't know if that neighbor will be unhappy about it.
REPORTER:
But others expressed concern that this isn’t the end of negotiations with Washington.
But I think we can still keep working on it because the US Supreme Court hasn't ruled on whether Trump's tariffs are illegal yet. If they are, then everything has to start over which is very concerning. Will there be any new developments?
REPORTER:
The Supreme Court has yet to rule on the legality of Trump’s reciprocal tariffs. If the Court strikes down the tariffs, analysts say Washington could still turn to other tools to pressure its trading partners.
REPORTER:
While markets and manufacturers are upbeat about the new deal, there’s no guarantee it’s the final word on US-Taiwan trade.
Leon Lien and Lily LaMattina for TaiwanPlus.
