On April 2, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump introduced steep tariffs on numerous countries, including Taiwan, with a 90-day pause on implementation subsequently announced on April 9. Responding swiftly, the Taiwanese government has launched an NT$93 billion (approximately US$3.1 billion) support plan that targets nine key areas covering both the industrial and agricultural sectors. The plan aims to help Taiwanese businesses and workers, including those in agriculture and fisheries, mitigate the impact of the tariff policy, while maintaining economic stability and industry development, so as to bolster public and industry confidence.
Industrial sector—six key areas
■ Financial support: Reduce interest rates on trade financing. Provide premium discounts on export insurance. Offer enhanced export credit guarantees for businesses, along with increased loan support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
■ Reduced administrative costs: Waive the requirement to submit packing lists for customs clearance in bonded areas. Expand the implementation of remote customs inspections.
■ Enhanced industry competitiveness: Offer financial assistance facilitating R&D-driven transformations to help enterprises upgrade their technologies.
■ Diverse markets: Provide financial assistance supporting the establishment of new facilities—such as showrooms and distribution warehouses—and the expansion of agent and distributor networks to drive the acquisition of overseas orders.
■ Tax incentives: Expand the scope of R&D and equipment expenditures eligible for tax credits to cover those pertaining to artificial intelligence, energy saving and carbon reduction, aiming to encourage R&D innovation, promote smart transformation and support the development of innovative startups. Boost startup fundraising, such as by lowering the capital contribution threshold for tax incentives and requiring venture capital enterprises to invest a higher percentage of capital in innovative startups.
■ Stable employment: Provide wage gap financial assistance and training allowances for workers on reduced hours, employment services for unemployed workers, and job search allowances and employment incentives for young job-seekers.
Agricultural sector—three key areas
■ Financial support: Provide additional interest rate financial assistance under various special agricultural loans.
■ Enhanced industry competitiveness: Strengthen the cold chain logistics system for exports, accelerate value-added industrial transformation and promote the acquisition of domestic and international certifications or accreditations.
■ Diverse markets: Expand the development of diverse channels and increase both local and overseas market outreach.