Auto parts firms face lower US tariffs PREFERENTIAL RATES: The tax cuts would put Taiwan on an equal footing with Japan, South Korea and the EU, while widening its advantages over China, Kung Ming-hsin said By Meryl Kao / Staff reporter Taiwan’s auto parts manufacturers are to benefit from the US’ preferential tariff treatment for non-semiconductor goods, Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsi...
Auto parts firms face lower US tariffs PREFERENTIAL RATES: The tax cuts would put Taiwan on an equal footing with Japan, South Korea and the EU, while widening its advantages over China, Kung Ming-hsin said By Meryl Kao / Staff reporter Taiwan’s auto parts manufacturers are to benefit from the US’ preferential tariff treatment for non-semiconductor goods, Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) said yesterday. Kung’s comments came after the Executive Yuan said in a statement late on Wednesday that the US government is expected to formally announce soon the preferential Section 232 tariff treatment for Taiwan’s non-semiconductor products. Under the arrangement, tariffs would be capped at no more than 15 percent on imports of auto parts, logs, lumber and wood derivative products, while steel, aluminum and copper derivative products used in aircraft components would be exempted from Section 232 tariffs. Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin attends a forum in Taipei on April 9. Photo: CNA The new tariffs would take effect retroactively from May 1, the Executive Yuan said. The move is also a positive development that could help boost order momentum for auto parts manufacturers, with tariffs dropping from an average 26.71 percent to 15 percent, the ministry said. Market reaction reflected strong industry expectations, with “almost all related stocks hitting limit-up today,” Kung said. Taiwan’s auto parts makers have been facing difficult conditions over the past year and during the first four months of this year, with output contracting, he said. Auto sector production dropped about 2 percent annually during the January-to-April period. Mexico is the biggest exporter of auto parts to the US, followed by China and Canada, Kung said. Canada and Mexico benefit from tariff-free treatment, while China mainly competes through low pricing, leaving Taiwanese suppliers at a disadvantage due to higher tariffs, Kung said. The tariff reduction would put Taiwan on an ...