Taipei: Taiwan Cement Corp. (TCC) Chairman Nelson Chang has raised concerns about the influx of cement imports into Taiwan, warning of significant risks to the local cement industry and employment sector. Chang emphasized the potential threat of Taiwan becoming a dumping ground for excessive overseas cement production, which could destabilize the domestic market and jeopardize tens of thousands of jobs.

According to Focus Taiwan, Chang expressed support for Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming’s initiative to reduce dependency on imported cement. He highlighted that the issue not only pertains to environmental protection and carbon reduction but also has broader implications for the sustainability of the local cement industry.

In a statement from TCC, it was noted that the local industry could suffer if Taiwan becomes a target for surplus foreign production. TCC referenced data from the Ministry of Finance, indicating that imported cement from countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Japan is being dumped in Taiwan at significantly lower prices than domestic offerings.

A comparison of pricing from the second half of 2024 to the first half of 2025 revealed that Japanese cement, which is sold domestically at about NT$3,800 per metric ton, was exported to Taiwan for just NT$1,400 per ton. This represents a dumping margin of up to 106 percent. Similarly, Indonesian cement clinker, priced domestically at NT$1,200 per ton, was exported to Taiwan at only NT$680.

Despite the government’s imposition of anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese cement in July, prices continued to decline. TCC highlighted customs data showing a 15 percent drop in Vietnamese cement prices and a 22 percent decrease in clinker prices following the implementation of duties. Indonesian suppliers also reduced prices by 5 percent, further widening the price gap.

Chang criticized the zero-tariff policy on imported cement, arguing that it is neither reciprocal nor fair to local producers. He also underscored the need for stricter environmental oversight as the government plans to introduce new carbon footprint reporting requirements. Chang advocated for enforceable, traceable single-source material requirements for public construction projects to ensure quality and safety.

Additionally, Chang proposed that imported cement should meet international carbon footprint standards and undergo third-party verification to align with Taiwan’s stricter gross emissions standards. He noted that TCC’s Heping and Suao plants have made significant investments to process industrial waste, a responsibility not shared by imported cement suppliers.