Taipei: The American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (AmCham Taiwan) has called on the U.S. government to eliminate import taxes on Taiwanese goods and has advocated for more high-level visits by U.S. officials to Taiwan.

According to Focus Taiwan, AmCham Taiwan made these appeals during the launch of their 2025 White Paper in Taipei, emphasizing that the tariffs "unfairly penalize a trusted democratic partner." The chamber, representing 500 American and international companies in Taiwan, pointed out that maintaining tariffs on key sectors like semiconductors and electronics increases costs for American businesses and consumers, undermining U.S.-Taiwan relations.

AmCham Taiwan President Carl Wegner highlighted Taiwan's importance as a reliable U.S. ally and a significant player in supply chain resilience. Wegner stated that as the U.S. aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, treating Taiwan as a partner serves American interests.

The urge to remove tariffs comes as Taipei and Washington engage in negotiations following the imposition of "reciprocal" tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump. Initially, a 32 percent duty was proposed on Taiwanese goods, later reduced to 10 percent, facilitating ongoing trade discussions.

AmCham Taiwan also stressed the importance of high-level visits by U.S. cabinet officials to Taiwan, asserting that these interactions are key to strengthening bilateral ties and improving communication. Wegner noted that such visits are vital for strategic coordination and regulatory alignment, reinforcing the normalcy of U.S.-Taiwan engagement.

Although recent U.S. delegations to Taiwan have been limited to congressional members, historical visits have included significant figures like then-U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar in 2020. The Taiwan Travel Act, passed by Congress in 2018, supports such exchanges, indicating an ongoing commitment to the relationship.

During President Joe Biden's administration, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in 2022, marking a high point in official visits since 1997, though it was met with strong reactions from Beijing, including military drills and trade suspensions.