1 Taiwan Prepares Special Budget to Strengthen Economic Resilience Amid U.S. Tariffs

In response to the United States’ recent announcement of a 20% provisional tariff on Taiwanese imports, Premier Cho Jung-tai convened top officials from relevant ministries and the Executive Yuan’s Taiwan-U.S. Economic and Trade Working Group to discuss the implementation of the “Support Plan for Taiwan’s Export Supply Chain in Response to U.S. Tariffs” and the preparation of a special budget. Premier Cho instructed ministries to promptly complete their reviews, expand countermeasures, and adjust the existing plans. The goal is to submit a special budget proposal under the “Special Act on Strengthening National Resilience in Response to Global Economic, Social, and Security Challenges” as early as next week. Attendees included Secretary-General to the Executive Yuan Kung Ming-hsin, Minister without Portfolio and Chief Trade Negotiator Yang Jen-ni, Minister of Agriculture Chen Jun-ji, as well as heads from the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of National Defense, Ocean Affairs Council, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Labor, and Ministry of Health and Welfare.

2. MOA Coordinates Extra 650 Hogs as Pork Prices Soar

Since the last typhoon hit Taiwan, pork prices have consistently surged past the NT$100 mark. As of August 2, auction prices for live pigs reached NT$111.35 per kilogram, setting a new high for the year. Pig farmers report that flooding in several major livestock-producing areas in southern Taiwan has raised concerns over potential disease outbreaks in the aftermath of the storm, which could further strain pork supply. In response, the Ministry of Agriculture has coordinated with Taiwan Sugar Corporation (Taisugar) to release over 650 additional pigs to the market this month to help stabilize supply. Meanwhile, local animal health authorities are carrying out disease prevention efforts in affected livestock and poultry farms. However, progress remains uncertain in areas still inundated with floodwater.