Ministry of Agriculture: Zero Tariffs on Some US Agricultural Products to Reduce Processing Costs and Increase Consumer Choice
Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture announced that zero tariffs on some US agricultural products in the Taiwan-US trade agreement will increase consumer choice and reduce processing costs. Meanwhile, tariffs on 27 key agricultural products like rice and chicken will be maintained, and 46 items including pork will also retain certain tariffs.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 15:24
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 15:32 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 30, 2026 at 15:45 (13 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Lai Yu-Chen, Taipei, 30th) Recent attention has been drawn to the agricultural product tariff content in the Taiwan-US Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART). The Ministry of Agriculture stated today that during negotiations, it successfully secured no tariff reductions for 27 key agricultural products, including rice and chicken, and maintained certain tariffs for 46 agricultural products, including pork. As for some items with zero tariffs, these are usually products Taiwan produces in small quantities or not at all, aiming to increase consumer choice and lower processing costs for businesses.
According to the Taiwan-US Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART), US peanuts are expected to have zero tariffs upon import. The Ministry of Agriculture previously explained that the government has planned comprehensive industry support measures such as a "wet pod trading" system, establishment of automated joint drying centers, and guiding cooperative farming groups, to ensure domestic peanut farmers are not affected. Furthermore, Taiwan's domestic peanut varieties are excellent, flavorful, and fresh, with a domestic market share as high as 75%, making them the public's first choice.
Regarding the attention garnered by various agricultural product tariffs in the ART, Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-Chih stated today at a press conference after the Executive Yuan meeting that the government has continuously explained that during negotiations, it firmly upheld the principles of safeguarding national interests, industry interests, public health, and food safety, and continues to do so.
Chief Secretary Lin Chia-Jung of the Ministry of Agriculture further explained at the press conference that the Ministry of Agriculture's negotiation principles are to ensure industry competitiveness, stabilize sustainable industrial development, and protect the rights and interests of farmers and fishermen, thereby achieving national food security goals. Ultimately, the ART not only secured a 15% reciprocal tariff without叠加 (additional layers), but also an additional 261 items of public concern, such as moth orchids, tea, and edamame, for tariff-free export to the US.
Regarding market opening, Lin Chia-Jung said that negotiations also secured no tariff reductions for 27 items, including rice, chicken, garlic, red beans, and oysters, and maintained certain tariffs for 46 agricultural products, including pork.
Regarding some items with zero tariffs, Lin Chia-Jung pointed out that most of these items are produced in small quantities or not at all domestically, and thus rely on imports. Zero tariffs for US products can increase consumer choice and reduce processing costs for businesses.
He also added that some zero-tariff items have a very high domestic self-sufficiency rate, and imported products already had prices lower than domestic agricultural products. This shows that price is not the only consideration for Taiwanese people when choosing agricultural products; hygiene, safety, freshness, and local origin are everyone's best decisions. (Edited by Zhai Sijia) 1150430
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(Central News Agency reporter Lai Yu-Chen, Taipei, 30th) Recent attention has been drawn to the agricultural product tariff content in the Taiwan-US Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART). The Ministry of Agriculture stated today that during negotiations, it successfully secured no tariff reductions for 27 key agricultural products, including rice and chicken, and maintained certain tariffs for 46 agricultural products, including pork. As for some items with zero tariffs, these are usually products Taiwan produces in small quantities or not at all, aiming to increase consumer choice and lower processing costs for businesses.
According to the Taiwan-US Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART), US peanuts are expected to have zero tariffs upon import. The Ministry of Agriculture previously explained that the government has planned comprehensive industry support measures such as a "wet pod trading" system, establishment of automated joint drying centers, and guiding cooperative farming groups, to ensure domestic peanut farmers are not affected. Furthermore, Taiwan's domestic peanut varieties are excellent, flavorful, and fresh, with a domestic market share as high as 75%, making them the public's first choice.
Regarding the attention garnered by various agricultural product tariffs in the ART, Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-Chih stated today at a press conference after the Executive Yuan meeting that the government has continuously explained that during negotiations, it firmly upheld the principles of safeguarding national interests, industry interests, public health, and food safety, and continues to do so.
Chief Secretary Lin Chia-Jung of the Ministry of Agriculture further explained at the press conference that the Ministry of Agriculture's negotiation principles are to ensure industry competitiveness, stabilize sustainable industrial development, and protect the rights and interests of farmers and fishermen, thereby achieving national food security goals. Ultimately, the ART not only secured a 15% reciprocal tariff without叠加 (additional layers), but also an additional 261 items of public concern, such as moth orchids, tea, and edamame, for tariff-free export to the US.
Regarding market opening, Lin Chia-Jung said that negotiations also secured no tariff reductions for 27 items, including rice, chicken, garlic, red beans, and oysters, and maintained certain tariffs for 46 agricultural products, including pork.
Regarding some items with zero tariffs, Lin Chia-Jung pointed out that most of these items are produced in small quantities or not at all domestically, and thus rely on imports. Zero tariffs for US products can increase consumer choice and reduce processing costs for businesses.
He also added that some zero-tariff items have a very high domestic self-sufficiency rate, and imported products already had prices lower than domestic agricultural products. This shows that price is not the only consideration for Taiwanese people when choosing agricultural products; hygiene, safety, freshness, and local origin are everyone's best decisions. (Edited by Zhai Sijia) 1150430
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or utilized without authorization.