Taiwan’s leader Lai Ching-te suffered a string of high-profile political setbacks over the past week, wounding his presidency at home and abroad. With a US tariff deadline looming, things could get worse.
Lai’s ability to forge ahead with his domestic agenda was handed a blow Saturday, when an unprecedented recall vote against opposition lawmakers ended in a landslide defeat. Shortly after, it emerged Trump administration officials had rebuffed his request to pass through US soil next month, over fears it could jeopardize trade talks with China.
Adding to the turmoil, Taiwan officials are still racing against a Friday deadline to avert a 32% tariff from the US. Failure to secure a tariff on par with neighbors like Japan could cast further doubt over Lai’s relationship with Taipei’s top military backer.
So far, Trump’s team has only offered Taiwan a “best rate tariff” without specifying the number, according to a person familiar with the talks, who added Taiwanese officials assume that’s around the 15% tariff Japan was given. The US is also demanding more investment, after Tokyo’s offer of a $550 billion fund, the person added.
The Presidential Office in Taiwan didn’t reply to a request for comment. Lai’s office has sought to minimize the political damage in recent days, saying all parties should accept the recall results and that there was no confirmation of any overseas travel.
“The biggest issue for Lai now is China’s trade talks with the US, and whether the Trump administration makes concessions to Beijing that put Taiwan’s interests on the line,” said Ja Ian Chong, associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore. “That would create far greater challenges for Lai and his administration.”
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Taiwan’s leader Lai Ching-te suffered a string of high-profile political setbacks over the past week, wounding his presidency at home and abroad. With a US tariff deadline looming, things could get worse.
Lai’s ability to forge ahead with his domestic agenda was handed a blow Saturday, when an unprecedented recall vote against opposition lawmakers ended in a landslide defeat. Shortly after, it emerged Trump administration officials had rebuffed his request to pass through US soil next month, over fears it could jeopardize trade talks with China.
Adding to the turmoil, Taiwan officials are still racing against a Friday deadline to avert a 32% tariff from the US. Failure to secure a tariff on par with neighbors like Japan could cast further doubt over Lai’s relationship with Taipei’s top military backer.
So far, Trump’s team has only offered Taiwan a “best rate tariff” without specifying the number, according to a person familiar with the talks, who added Taiwanese officials assume that’s around the 15% tariff Japan was given. The US is also demanding more investment, after Tokyo’s offer of a $550 billion fund, the person added.
The Presidential Office in Taiwan didn’t reply to a request for comment. Lai’s office has sought to minimize the political damage in recent days, saying all parties should accept the recall results and that there was no confirmation of any overseas travel.
“The biggest issue for Lai now is China’s trade talks with the US, and whether the Trump administration makes concessions to Beijing that put Taiwan’s interests on the line,” said Ja Ian Chong, associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore. “That would create far greater challenges for Lai and his administration.”