Reporter TVBS News Staff

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan will defend its vital rice industry against trade pressures, the island’s top agricultural official vowed Thursday (April 10) amid growing anxiety over potential tariff concessions. Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) made an unequivocal commitment to maintaining import barriers on American rice, underscoring the cultural and economic importance of the grain that occupies more cultivated land than any other crop in Taiwan.

The minister’s assurances came during testimony before the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan’s parliament, where he addressed mounting concerns following President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) recent proposal for comprehensive tariff elimination between Taiwan and the United States. Agricultural communities across the island have voiced alarm about their vulnerability under such an arrangement. Minister Chen sought to calm these fears by emphasizing that preliminary negotiations would likely carve out exceptions for sensitive agricultural products.

During the parliamentary session, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) lLegislator Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩) pressed the minister specifically on safeguards for Taiwan’s rice farmers. Chen responded with firm reassurances that his ministry would work to shield rice from any tariff elimination agreements. He explained that Taiwan currently operates under a carefully balanced tariff-rate quota system for rice imports, negotiated through its World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments. This arrangement already permits substantial American imports—more than 64,000 tons annually — within Taiwan’s total import quota exceeding 94,000 tons.

The discussion shifted to potential export opportunities when another DPP legislator, Lin Daihua (林岱樺), noted the strategic implications of America’s punitive tariffs on Chinese goods. Lin suggested that while China’s potential retreat from certain U.S. markets could create openings for Taiwan, it might simultaneously intensify competition from other exporters like Brazil, particularly in seafood. Minister Chen adopted a more optimistic perspective, characterizing the situation as a rare chance for Taiwan to expand its foothold in American markets, especially for signature agricultural exports like edamame soybeans and tilapia fish.

Presenting market analysis to support his optimism, the agriculture minister revealed that while 79% of Taiwan’s tilapia exports already flow to American markets, the island currently commands just 7% of U.S. tilapia imports compared to China’s dominant 66% share. The impending tariff restructuring could dramatically alter this competitive landscape. The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA, 農業部) has developed strategies to help Taiwanese producers enhance product quality and processing standards, with particular emphasis on premium frozen seafood products designed to penetrate higher-value segments of the American market.

Published Date: April 10, 2025