US Peanuts Zero Tariff: DPP Supports Hu Chung-i's Honest Words from an Expert
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislative Yuan Caucus stated that Vice Minister of Agriculture Hu Chung-i is speaking honestly as an expert regarding the impact of zero-tariff U.S. peanut imports under the Taiwan-U.S. Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART). While the agreement benefits the nation, the government must proactively respond to the impact on peanut farmers and strengthen agricultural support, especially as Yunlin County, Taiwan's largest peanut producer, anticipates significant adverse effects.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 13:36
- 🔍 Collected: April 29, 2026 at 14:01 (25 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 29, 2026 at 14:06 (4 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Lin Jing-yin, Taipei, 29th) According to the Taiwan-U.S. Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART), U.S. peanuts will be imported with zero tariffs. Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan described this as "destroying agriculture" and questioned Vice Minister of Agriculture Hu Chung-i's suggestion for transformation as an expert speaking layperson's words. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislative Yuan Caucus today stated that Hu Chung-i is an expert speaking honest words. The government must proactively respond to the impact on farmers and strengthen agricultural support.
The Taiwan-U.S. Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART) promises that U.S. peanuts will be imported with zero tariffs and exempted from special safeguard measures (SSG). Chang Li-shan yesterday described this as "bad news" and stated that Yunlin County is the largest peanut producing area in Taiwan, and farmers will face the greatest impact. She criticized Hu Chung-i for speaking layperson's words when suggesting transformation and advised against easily advocating for crop conversion.
DPP Caucus Whip Chuang Jui-hsiung stated at a caucus press conference this morning that the signing of the Taiwan-U.S. Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART) is positive for the country overall, but it does not mean it will not impact individual industries. He admitted that it will impact farmers, and the government must respond proactively and find ways to strengthen support for agriculture, especially peanut farmers, which is very important.
Chuang Jui-hsiung explained that impact is inevitable. Hu Chung-i is not an expert speaking layperson's words; he is an expert speaking honest words, which farmers will certainly find uncomfortable. The country as a whole benefits, but peanut farmers are indeed impacted, which is why the Executive Yuan will establish a NT$30 billion agricultural safety fund.
Chuang Jui-hsiung stated that local government officials are naturally worried, and what Chang Li-shan said is not unreasonable. Therefore, both central and local governments must work together without too much political bickering.
Chuang Jui-hsiung explained that Taiwan is a shallow-dish market, and it is only that big. Processors looking for raw materials naturally hope to get cheaper ones. With the large influx of shelled peanuts from the U.S., processors will naturally like it, as lower prices will reduce costs. Peanuts are to be harvested from May to July, so unless it is an anticipatory psychological effect, the first wave of impact will not be that great. The greater concern is the impact on peanut farmers over the next two to three years.
Chuang Jui-hsiung mentioned that farmers are good at growing, but the prices they sell at in the international market involve transportation and marketing, which are not their strengths. This is where the government can play a good role, by increasing support for farmers, and he expects the Ministry of Agriculture to achieve good results.
DPP Caucus Deputy Whip Chen Pei-yu emphasized that there should not be too much political bickering, and the ruling party caucus has heard the concerns of local county magistrates and will work harder to assist farmers. Everyone should also remember that the current negotiation results include 261 agricultural products with reciprocal tariff reductions to 0%, which are the result of the efforts of the government's ruling team. However, for agricultural products not included in these items, the DPP caucus will actively supervise the Executive Yuan to ensure that supporting measures, budgets, and policies are in place.
(Central News Agency reporter Lin Jing-yin, Taipei, 29th) According to the Taiwan-U.S. Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART), U.S. peanuts will be imported with zero tariffs. Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan described this as "destroying agriculture" and questioned Vice Minister of Agriculture Hu Chung-i's suggestion for transformation as an expert speaking layperson's words. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislative Yuan Caucus today stated that Hu Chung-i is an expert speaking honest words. The government must proactively respond to the impact on farmers and strengthen agricultural support.
The Taiwan-U.S. Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART) promises that U.S. peanuts will be imported with zero tariffs and exempted from special safeguard measures (SSG). Chang Li-shan yesterday described this as "bad news" and stated that Yunlin County is the largest peanut producing area in Taiwan, and farmers will face the greatest impact. She criticized Hu Chung-i for speaking layperson's words when suggesting transformation and advised against easily advocating for crop conversion.
DPP Caucus Whip Chuang Jui-hsiung stated at a caucus press conference this morning that the signing of the Taiwan-U.S. Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART) is positive for the country overall, but it does not mean it will not impact individual industries. He admitted that it will impact farmers, and the government must respond proactively and find ways to strengthen support for agriculture, especially peanut farmers, which is very important.
Chuang Jui-hsiung explained that impact is inevitable. Hu Chung-i is not an expert speaking layperson's words; he is an expert speaking honest words, which farmers will certainly find uncomfortable. The country as a whole benefits, but peanut farmers are indeed impacted, which is why the Executive Yuan will establish a NT$30 billion agricultural safety fund.
Chuang Jui-hsiung stated that local government officials are naturally worried, and what Chang Li-shan said is not unreasonable. Therefore, both central and local governments must work together without too much political bickering.
Chuang Jui-hsiung explained that Taiwan is a shallow-dish market, and it is only that big. Processors looking for raw materials naturally hope to get cheaper ones. With the large influx of shelled peanuts from the U.S., processors will naturally like it, as lower prices will reduce costs. Peanuts are to be harvested from May to July, so unless it is an anticipatory psychological effect, the first wave of impact will not be that great. The greater concern is the impact on peanut farmers over the next two to three years.
Chuang Jui-hsiung mentioned that farmers are good at growing, but the prices they sell at in the international market involve transportation and marketing, which are not their strengths. This is where the government can play a good role, by increasing support for farmers, and he expects the Ministry of Agriculture to achieve good results.
DPP Caucus Deputy Whip Chen Pei-yu emphasized that there should not be too much political bickering, and the ruling party caucus has heard the concerns of local county magistrates and will work harder to assist farmers. Everyone should also remember that the current negotiation results include 261 agricultural products with reciprocal tariff reductions to 0%, which are the result of the efforts of the government's ruling team. However, for agricultural products not included in these items, the DPP caucus will actively supervise the Executive Yuan to ensure that supporting measures, budgets, and policies are in place.