China says Taiwan's no tariffs policy on US akin to ‘turning the other cheek’

ISTANBUL

China on Wednesday said the Taiwan administration’s zero tariffs policy against the US in response to duties from Washington was akin to "turning the other cheek," state media reported.

Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for Taiwan affairs office, said the Lai Ching-te administration has "actively sold off Taiwan's core competitive industries in pursuit of 'independence,' only to face steep tariffs imposed by Washington in return.

She said the situation has shattered the illusion of the so-called "US-Taiwan relationship," reducing Taiwan from a "pawn" to a "discarded piece."

Earlier, Taiwanese leader Lai said Taipei will not respond with retaliatory tariffs against those imposed by Washington, adding that the island planned to increase imports of US goods to help reduce the trade deficit.

"The Lai authorities disregard the interests of the people and the prospects for industrial development, proposing a 'large procurement and investment plan' to appease the US, which is seen as obsequious 'turning of the other cheek'," said Zhu.

Taiwan’s semiconductor giant TSMC also announced plans to invest an additional $100 billion in the US.

US President Donald Trump imposed a 32% tariff on goods from Taiwan but later paused the measures for 90 days on most countries except China, and instead imposed a baseline tariff of 10%.

"TSMC has long become a political pledge of the (ruling) DPP authorities' attempts to seek 'Taiwan independence' by leaning on the US. It is only a matter of time before Taiwan's semiconductor industry is handed over by Lai Ching-te, a 'professional traitor of Taiwan'," said the Chinese spokeswoman.

Washington has raised tariffs on Chinese imports up to a whopping 245%. Chinese tariffs on US imports remain at 125%.

Reacting to statements made by Samuel Paparo, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command during a Congressional hearing, Zhu said: "We urge the US to adhere to the one-China principle ... stop interfering in the Taiwan question and refrain from sending any erroneous signals to the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces."