In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

Taiwan's exports to the United States will be subject to a 20-per cent tariff
from today - that according to an executive order signed by U-S President
Donald Trump earlier this morning Taiwan time.

The 20-per cent levy is the same as the tariffs imposed on Vietnam, Sri Lanka
and Bangladesh by Trump.

But it's higher than the 15-per cent tariffs imposed on Japan, South Korea
and the European Union - as well as the 19-per cent tariffs imposed on the
Philippines

The announcement comes a day before the August 1 deadline for countries to
reach agreements with the United States on tariff reductions.

Trump's tariff plan was first unveiled on April 2 as part of a sweeping
package that included a proposed 32 percent duty on goods from Taiwan.

Implementation was initially delayed for 90 days -- pushing the deadline to
July 9 -- and later extended again to August 1.

The government here in Taiwan has yet to issue a statement concerning the
20-per cent tariff.