US Hints at New Tariffs Coming Soon – July 22, 2026｜TaiwanPlus News

[00:00:12]What's up, Taiwan? I'm Laurel Stewart with news from here in Taiwan [music] and around the world. The US Trade Representative has hinted that another round of tariffs is on the way for countries including Taiwan.

[00:00:24]>> We expect to see some action soon. Uh I don't I don't really I can't really specify a timeline right now. Uh I have a responsibility to to brief Congress and other stakeholders before I I really reveal that kind of thing. But we do expect action soon.

[00:00:38]>> The US Trade Representatives office in June proposed tariffs of up to 12.5% on around 60 economies in response to alleged forced labor practices. The administration has implemented a 10% global tariff after its previous levy was struck down by the US Supreme Court in February, but those current measures are set to expire on Friday.

[00:01:03]To understand how any potential new duties could impact Taiwan's economy, our reporter Lily Lamatina spoke to Darson Cho, director general of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

[00:01:18]Now, why is Taiwan on this list of 60 countries facing Trump's new tariff tool?

[00:02:39]How do you believe Taiwan should prepare for the potential impact of higher US tariffs?

[00:03:22]MFN.

[00:03:41]Given the US's reliance on Taiwanese technology and semiconductors, could that help shield Taiwan from some of the impact?

[00:04:39]That was Dawson Cho from CACCI.

[00:04:43]TSMC has declined to confirm or deny reports that it could raise prices on its chips from next year. Nikkay Asia first reported that TSMC will raise prices by up to 10% starting in 2027 following negotiations with customers that ended this month. The report said price hikes will apply to orders from both advanced and legacy chips. Other chip makers like AMD and Intel have already raised prices this year in response to rising costs. TSMC says it does not comment on its pricing.

[00:05:20]The Jong Hua Institution for Economic Research has made the most optimistic prediction yet for Taiwan's economic growth this year. The think tank says GDP growth could be up to 10.35% this year, citing strong export growth in the first half of the year. And it says the value of Taiwan's exports this year might break 900 billion US if overseas demand remains high. The institute also predicts inflation for the year at just over 2%. However, it says this could ease if the war in the Middle East is resolved and oil prices come down.

[00:06:00]A Taiwanese official could attend Australia's ruling party's national conference for the first time. It comes as Cber faces pressure from Beijing to limit Taiwan's presence in the country.

[00:06:13]Tiffany Wong has more.

[00:06:15]The Australian Labor Party is set to hold its national conference later this week with one report saying a Taiwanese official could attend. Australian newspaper The Nightly reported that the official is from Taipe's representative office in Canberra. Taiwan's foreign ministry has not yet confirmed the report. If true, it would be the first time a Taiwanese official attends the ruling labor party's national congress, which is held every 3 years to set key policies, including on foreign affairs.

[00:06:43]This comes as Beijing has reportedly been pushing Cambbora to block Taipe's request to open a new representative office in Perth, putting Australia's unofficial ties with Taiwan under pressure. It also follows news that Papa Newu Guini's foreign minister consulted his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, before abruptly ordering Taiwan's economic office in his country to shut down earlier this month. A move largely seen as an attempt to appease Beijing.

[00:07:08]As China steps up pressure on countries to limit engagement with Taiwan and Taipei seeks to deepen its ties in the Pacific, the Labor Party's National Congress could offer a glimpse at how Australia balances its unofficial ties with Taiwan and its broader relationship with Beijing. Luffy Lee and Tiffany Wong in Taipei for Taiwan Plus.

[00:07:30]Taiwan's foreign ministry says it seeks peaceful solutions to disputes in the South China Sea and condemns hostile actions by China.

[00:08:10]Foreign Minister Lin Jolong spoke before delivering a report on South China Sea policy to lawmakers on Wednesday morning. The ministry said Taiwan would continue to follow its four principles.

[00:08:21]These are the peaceful resolution of claims, inclusion in negotiations, regional freedom of navigation, and willingness to shelf disputes. It warned that China's use of force to assert its claims undermines regional peace.

[00:08:39]The removal of some trees in Taipei has become the subject of online conspiracy claims with some people alleging it could be linked to Chinese military operations. The city government has rejected those claims and warned of possible legal action. But as Larry Isano reports, experts are concerned about the broader impact of false information online.

[00:09:06]What does a city government cutting down trees have to do with a potential Chinese invasion strategy? On its face, nothing. But on popular social media platforms like threads, conspiracy theories have spread with some users claiming that trees being removed in the heart of the capital, Taipei, could help facilitate China's drone operations.

[00:09:23]What may have started as local residents complaining about routine tree cutings has evolved into something very different. Post after post has raised questions, shared speculation, or presented alleged evidence to support the claim circulating online. Some posts suggest the removal of trees near the presidential office could make drone attacks easier or allow Chinese helicopters to land or say that it feels like an intelligence operation before a decapitation strike. Other posts draw comparisons between Taipei's changing landscape and a reported Chinese training ground replicating the area around the presidential office and other government buildings. But questions have been raised over the authenticity of some of these images or materials. A fact-checking specialist says at least one was AI generated.

[00:10:16]The Taipei city government has issued two statements refuting the claims, saying that has planted nearly 10,000 more trees than it removed. It said the vast majority of the roughly 3,000 trees cut down were removed due to natural death, pests, or safety concerns. Both the city government and the mayor have warned that those spreading misinformation could face legal consequences. But despite the warnings, similar posts continue to spread. A map circulating online highlights areas near the presidential office where all the trees were supposedly cut down. But here we are in one of those streets, and as you can see, all the trees are still here. Taiwan's national security team declined to comment on specific internet rumors, but said it will continue to strengthen cyber defense and work with other government agencies to safeguard the online environment. But experts warned that online posts like these should be taken seriously as it could further deepen political divides or fuel public anxiety amid growing crossstrait tensions.

[00:11:32]What started as a debate over tree removals has become an example of how quickly an online narrative can spread and spin out of control. And as Taiwan heads into local elections later this year, the impact of false information online could grow much bigger. Fu Hua Hong and Larry Ciano for Taiwan Plus.

[00:11:47]Representatives from 11 of Taiwan's diplomatic allies are in Taipei for a 3-day climate workshop focused on carbon credit trading and green partnerships.

[00:11:58]The initiative was organized by Taiwan's Foreign Ministry and the Industrial Technology Research Institute. It aims to build local expertise in international carbon markets under United Nations Climate Initiatives and to use green technology to solidify Taipe's diplomatic ties. Taiwan is not a UN member, so cannot join its climate programs.

[00:12:24]An early 2000's schoolyard craze is spinning its way back across Asia, packing out arenas from the markets of Hong Kong to the campaign trail in Taiwan. Rez reports.

[00:12:36]>> 3.

[00:12:39]>> Remember these? Well, Felix Yip does just about.

[00:12:46]The first Beyblades are a couple years older than 25-year-old Yip, but he remembers the craze from his primary school days, and now he's playing again.

[00:12:54]Part of a revitalized community of enthusiasts taking their battles to markets in Hong Kong.

[00:13:02]>> I've already managed to rope a few friends who never played Beyblades into getting hooked. And perhaps that's part of the fun. It's what keeps me playing.

[00:13:13]>> The Beyblade craze is sweeping Asia with manufacturer Takarattoi reporting massive spikes in demand across Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, fueled by new battletech, a pinch of nostalgia, and a need for a physical escape from a digital age.

[00:13:33]>> In this materialistic age, people yearn for something they can actually get their hands on. As we're usually just fiddling with our phones and can't seem to find anything with physical presence, the game is getting so popular it's fueling a black market in China. In early July, tens of thousands of fakes were seized at Taiwan's border. Even Taiwanese politicians are getting in on the action with Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen attending a Beyblade tournament in the capital. But back in Hong Kong's packed markets, the noise is purely about the game itself, where for these players, nothing beats the simple physical thrill of the spin. Eenchen and Rees for Taiwan Plus.

[00:14:14]Thank you for watching What's Up Taiwan.

[00:14:15]You can visit the Taiwan Plus website or follow our social media for more stories from Taiwan and around the world.

[00:14:22]Finally, we take you to the UK for the Farn International [music] Air Show. I'm Laurel Stewart. Take care. See you next time. Heat. Hey, Heat.