00:00Taiwan's government is defending a trade deal framework with the US as opposition parties
00:05criticize the US$500 billion price tag and potential impact on Taiwan's chip industry.
00:11The deal commits Taiwan to $250 billion in direct chip-making investments, with an additional
00:16$250 billion in government-backed loans for other private investments. The government
00:21says that $500 billion figure needs to be clarified. The two amounts are distinct and
00:26should be separated. That's despite even US officials, such as US Commerce Secretary
00:30Howard Lutnick, describing it as a $500 billion deal. And some in the opposition say it's
00:35nothing more than a payout.
00:56But cabinet officials are highlighting what they say is one of the main benefits of the
01:00deal, a reduction in tariffs on Taiwanese goods, including a cut to reciprocal tariffs from
01:0520 to 15 percent.
01:07The debate highlights that the deal is far from a sure thing. Lawmakers are still waiting
01:22on the full text of the deal before it heads for a vote. That's where the rubber meets
01:26the road for the deal's supporters to see if their arguments will win out.
01:30Patrick Chun and Chris Gorin in Taipei for Taiwan Plus.
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