Some lawmakers are calling for zero tariffs on U.S.-made car imports, but
Finance Minister Zhuang Cui-yun said she'll wait until after Taiwan signed a
trade agreement with the United States.

According to DPP lawmaker Wang Shi-jian, currently Taiwan levies a 17.5
percent tariff on U.S.-made cars, higher than Japan’s zero tariff on
imported vehicles.

He asked whether Taiwan may lower its import tariff on vehicles in the
future, and whether it could cut the rate to zero.

On health supplements, Wang said Taiwan’s current import tariff is 30
percent, much higher than South Korea’s 8 percent and Japan’s 14.5 percent.

In response, Zhuang said as Taiwan and the U.S. are still finalizing the
legal text, she will report to the public on those issues once the agreement
is signed.

Separately, Zhuang said neither her Ministry nor Taipei 101 provided any
funding or sponsorship for Alex Honnold’s ascent of the skyscraper.

She said Taipei 101 only provided the venue, and handled related coordination
and promotional efforts.

(JL)