Cho Jung-tai: Taiwan-US Have Signed ART, Final Mile to Ensure Preferential Treatment

Cho Jung-tai today, accompanied by Executive Yuan Deputy Secretary-General Ruan Zhao-xiong and Overseas Community Affairs Council Deputy Minister Li Yan-hui, met with the "38th North American Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce Joint Delegation for Returning Visits and Investment Inspections."

Cho Jung-tai stated in his address that in the past year, Taiwan and the United States have not only signed the ART, the Taiwan-US Investment Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), but also the Silicon Prosperity Declaration, allowing Taiwan to stand alongside advanced nations on the same starting line for future key technologies.

He said that although the United States is currently seeking various legal tools for tariff conversion due to a Supreme Court ruling and has not yet reached the final stage, it is now the last mile. He hopes that through the joint efforts of the Taiwanese business community present and the government, Taiwan can ensure the relative preferential treatment for its government and industries under the ART, and strengthen various economic and trade cooperation between Taiwan and the US.

Taiwan and the US completed the signing of the ART in mid-February, establishing Taiwan's reciprocal tariff at 15% non-cumulative and Most Favored Nation (MFN) treatment under Section 232, and including tariff exemptions for over 2,000 products exported to the US. It was originally expected to be sent to the Legislative Yuan for review along with the Taiwan-US Investment Cooperation MOU signed in January. However, due to significant changes in US tariff policy, the US is currently rebuilding tariff legal means through Section 301 investigations and other methods.

Regarding the Middle East conflict, Cho Jung-tai said he hopes the situation in the Middle East will stabilize soon, allowing global political, military, political, and economic situations to return to normal. This would resolve issues concerning supply chains, raw material supply, energy supply, and wars, preventing further disputes and allowing the world to enter a more stable and peaceful process.

He also thanked the North American Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce Joint Delegation for its attention in recent years to issues such as the Taiwan-US Trade Agreement, the Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation (ADTA), the Taiwan Allies Fund Act, and the Taiwan International Solidarity Act. They also assisted in the Hualien 0403 earthquake disaster in 2024 and counties and cities affected by typhoons last year. "We feel a very, very great warmth; our hearts are connected," he said. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150409