Taipei: Taiwan’s Economic Affairs Minister Kuo Jyh-huei outlined five measures on Thursday to tackle rules of origin circumvention, a key issue in U.S.-Taiwan tariff negotiations. The measures include enhanced monitoring of goods from China, improved communication with Taiwanese businesses, establishing a blacklist of violators, imposing stricter penalties, and utilizing anti-dumping tools.

According to Focus Taiwan, Kuo emphasized that stricter monitoring would focus on goods redirected to Taiwan and those rerouted through Taiwan to the United States. This action aims to prevent trade practices that might impact the U.S.’ judgment of Taiwan. “Origin laundering” involves companies misrepresenting a product’s country of origin to avoid tariffs or trade restrictions.

Kuo’s comments were made during a session of the Economic Committee, attended by Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih and Deputy Finance Minister Lee Ching-hua, who also discussed trade-related challenges. The special session addressed strategies for maintaining Taiwan’s competitiveness in agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, and manufacturing sectors amid new U.S. tariff policies announced by President Donald Trump.

During the session, Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Lai Jui-lung questioned the government’s preparedness for potential economic disruptions due to the new tariffs. In response, Kuo assured that Taiwan remains competitive, citing its industrial strengths and the mostly complementary nature of U.S.-Taiwan trade, particularly in technology.

Kuo also mentioned that Taiwan’s Presidential Office and the Cabinet would initiate consultations with industry groups starting Thursday afternoon, reaffirming the government’s commitment to engaging with the private sector to identify and address areas for improvement.