President Trump declared a national economic emergency and implemented reciprocal tariff policies, imposing a baseline of 10% tariffs on all countries. Nations with larger trade deficits face higher tariffs; as such, Taiwan—due to its significant deficit ratio relative to the US—is subject to an additional 32%, which substantially impacts small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

In response, NiEA stated that since President Tsai took office, she has proposed key industrial trade policies, including the “Taiwan–US Trade Initiative,” establishing a strong foundation for cooperation between both countries. Recognizing this new situation with US tariffs, they commend the Executive Yuan team’s efforts to address and negotiate these issues in order to protect national interests.

NiEA also noted that President Trump's unconventional policy measures since his election have necessitated continuous communication with industry leaders and members. Building on their long-term support for Taiwanese SMEs and startups, NiEA has proposed short-, medium-, and long-term strategies:
1) Conduct a thorough analysis of affected industries to provide more proactive assistance.
2) Promote industrial upgrading by leveraging tax incentives or capital market tools to help businesses grow while addressing labor shortages resulting from low birth rates.
3) Enhance communication with the US through interministerial teams, mitigating tariff impacts on SMEs.
4) Expand investment cooperation in the US—protecting Taiwanese investors’ rights and establishing dialogue channels, as well as leveraging existing alliances such as semiconductor or automotive parts associations.
5) Emphasize continuous innovation by building open platforms that facilitate industrial development.

NiEA aims to create a platform through investments in startups and industry alliances, enabling SMEs to collaborate more effectively with larger firms. NiEA stands ready to fully support the government’s efforts, serving as its best ally within the private sector.