U.S. initiates Section 301 investigation, Kung Ming-hsin: Limited impact on Taiwan-U.S. negotiation results
Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs, Kung Ming-hsin, stated that the U.S. Section 301 investigation will have a limited impact on the results of the investment cooperation memorandum and trade agreement signed between Taiwan and the U.S. earlier this year. He emphasized that Taiwan does not have issues with forced labor or overcapacity.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 11:41
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 12:01 (20 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 12:40 (38 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Hou Tzu-ying, Washington, May 6) Taiwan and the U.S. signed an investment cooperation memorandum and a reciprocal trade agreement earlier this year. In March, the U.S. launched a new wave of Section 301 investigations, including Taiwan as a target. Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin stated today in Washington that both Taiwan and the U.S. hope that the results achieved through negotiations can be maintained; he believes that the Section 301 investigation will have a limited impact on the existing agreed-upon results.
Kung Ming-hsin and National Development Council Minister Yeh Chun-hsien led a Taiwanese delegation to the U.S. to participate in the 2026 'SelectUSA Investment Summit' and held a press conference this afternoon on the prospects of Taiwan-U.S. supply chain cooperation.
When asked by foreign media whether the U.S. initiation of the Section 301 investigation would affect Taiwanese companies' willingness to expand investment in the U.S., Kung Ming-hsin responded that one of the investigations initiated by the U.S. is against forced labor, and the other is against overcapacity. Currently, Taiwan basically does not have an overcapacity problem; instead, its production capacity is insufficient to meet order demand.
Regarding forced labor, he pointed out that Taiwan is establishing a mechanism, and when other countries have so-called forced labor situations, 'we will prohibit some imports from them.'
Kung Ming-hsin stated that both Taiwan and the U.S. hope that the results achieved through negotiations can be maintained. He believes that the Section 301 investigation will have a 'limited impact' on the existing agreed-upon results.
What is Section 301?
Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act stipulates that when it is determined that there is discrimination against U.S. companies or a violation of U.S. rights in trade agreements, the U.S. government can impose tariffs. (Editor: Chen Yen-chun) 1150507
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(Central News Agency reporter Hou Tzu-ying, Washington, May 6) Taiwan and the U.S. signed an investment cooperation memorandum and a reciprocal trade agreement earlier this year. In March, the U.S. launched a new wave of Section 301 investigations, including Taiwan as a target. Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin stated today in Washington that both Taiwan and the U.S. hope that the results achieved through negotiations can be maintained; he believes that the Section 301 investigation will have a limited impact on the existing agreed-upon results.
Kung Ming-hsin and National Development Council Minister Yeh Chun-hsien led a Taiwanese delegation to the U.S. to participate in the 2026 'SelectUSA Investment Summit' and held a press conference this afternoon on the prospects of Taiwan-U.S. supply chain cooperation.
When asked by foreign media whether the U.S. initiation of the Section 301 investigation would affect Taiwanese companies' willingness to expand investment in the U.S., Kung Ming-hsin responded that one of the investigations initiated by the U.S. is against forced labor, and the other is against overcapacity. Currently, Taiwan basically does not have an overcapacity problem; instead, its production capacity is insufficient to meet order demand.
Regarding forced labor, he pointed out that Taiwan is establishing a mechanism, and when other countries have so-called forced labor situations, 'we will prohibit some imports from them.'
Kung Ming-hsin stated that both Taiwan and the U.S. hope that the results achieved through negotiations can be maintained. He believes that the Section 301 investigation will have a 'limited impact' on the existing agreed-upon results.
What is Section 301?
Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act stipulates that when it is determined that there is discrimination against U.S. companies or a violation of U.S. rights in trade agreements, the U.S. government can impose tariffs. (Editor: Chen Yen-chun) 1150507
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.