Latest news with #WellingtonKooLi-hsiung
South China Morning Post
01-08-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
What price will Taiwan pay to blunt Trump's tariffs? Reports spark worries over US demands
Taiwan is increasingly anxious about whether it must make sweeping concessions – including a reported US$400 billion investment pledge – to avoid a looming 32 per cent tariff from the United States, set to take effect on Friday. Advertisement Adding to the uncertainty are reports that planned visits to the US by Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te and Defence Minister Wellington Koo Li-hsiung were deferred at the last minute. Analysts said the developments were far from coincidental and might mark a deliberate effort by Washington to dial down Taiwan-related tensions as it sought a breakthrough in trade talks with Beijing. The tariff threat stems from US President Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariff campaign launched in April, which aims to impose duties matching those faced by American exporters. While most major trading partners have reached agreements, Taiwan remains among a small group still negotiating its final rate. Citing reports by foreign news outlets, including Bloomberg, Taiwanese media said on Thursday that Washington was demanding that Taiwan match the investment commitments made by Japan and South Korea – US$550 billion and US$350 billion respectively – to qualify for the lowest 15 per cent tariff tier. Advertisement Taiwan is reportedly considering a US$300-400 billion package, equivalent to four years of the island's central government budget.
South China Morning Post
12-03-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Taiwanese law change targets military personnel with links to mainland China
Taiwanese military personnel who hold identity cards issued in mainland China will face more scrutiny and could spend up to seven years in jail if they express allegiance to Beijing, under changes to the island's legal code. Advertisement Defence Minister Wellington Koo Li-hsiung said on Tuesday that the stricter measures were aimed at countering Beijing's growing influence and espionage activities on the island. He was speaking the day after the ministry announced that the draft amendment – which includes potential prison sentences for active-duty military personnel found to be disloyal – was ready to be sent to cabinet for its approval. The new wording stipulates that service members who 'express allegiance to the enemy through words, actions, writings, pictures, or digital records' will face prison terms ranging from one to seven years. Beijing considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and has vowed to reunify with the island, by force if necessary. Advertisement While most countries, including the United States, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, Washington remains opposed to any forcible seizure of the island and continues to support Taiwan's self-defence efforts through arms sales.
