China strongly criticized the recent conclusion of tariff talks between the United States and Taiwan, which centered on mutual tariff cuts and large-scale investment in the U.S., saying it is nothing more than a treasonous document in which the Democratic Progressive Party authorities sold off the welfare of the Taiwan people and the interests of industrial development.
Peng Qingan, Spokesperson for the China State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a regular briefing on the 21st that the United States and Taiwan's tariff talks are no different from a declaration of surrender that bowed cravenly to economic bullying.
Earlier, the United States and Taiwan signed tariff talks. The United States lowered the tariff rate imposed on Taiwan to 15%, and Taiwan will have TSMC and other domestic semiconductor and technology corporations push new investments totaling $250 billion (about 368 trillion won) in the United States related to advanced semiconductors, energy, and artificial intelligence (AI). To facilitate investment in the U.S., the Taiwan government will provide corporations with at least $250 billion in credit guarantees.
Spokesperson Peng said it is an attempt by the United States to wield tariffs as a club to exert extreme pressure, force Taiwan to increase investment in the U.S., and siphon off Taiwan's competitive core industries. He added, it is obvious upon even a cursory look whether this transaction is fair and reasonable. The massive investment amounting to $500 billion corresponds to 80% of Taiwan's foreign exchange reserves, and if 40% of semiconductor production capacity is transferred to the United States, Taiwan's core industrial competitiveness will be completely lost.
He went on to claim that the Democratic Progressive Party authorities not only feel no shame but take pride in this and are trying to deceive the Taiwan people, and that such incompetent and shameless behavior will only completely destroy Taiwan's development prospects.