DPP under fire for 'selling out' industry

Mainland blasts Taiwan's 'despicable' trade concessions to US' tariff decision

Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan have come under fire for removing tariffs on US goods and boosting investment in the United States, rather than taking reciprocal action after Washington imposed steep tariffs on key exports from Taiwan.

The move has sparked criticism on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, with the public accusing the DPP of boasting about a "rock-solid" relationship with the US only to be "betrayed" after the US slapped a 22 percent tariff on top of the 10 percent baseline tariff on goods from the island. The additional 22 percent tariff has since been suspended until July 8, 2025.

The decision to impose a tariff came despite major investment in the US by Taiwan's pillar chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.