U.S. Dept. of State - IIP: The United States and China

FACT SHEET: U.S.-TAIWAN MARKET ACCESS AGREEMENT
(Taiwan agrees to support APEC sectoral initiatives)

Washington -- The United States and Taiwan concluded a comprehensive market access agreement February 20 that will provide substantially increased access for U.S. goods, services and agriculture exports to Taiwan.

As part of the agreement, according to a fact sheet issued by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) February 20, "Taiwan has agreed to actively support all of the APEC sectoral initiatives and, when an agreement is reached in APEC on the sectoral initiatives, Taiwan will include it in its WTO schedule. The immediate APEC initiatives include energy, equipment and services, environmental goods and services, forest products, toys, chemicals, medical equipment, fish and fish products, gems and jewelry, and telecommunications mutual recognition agreements."

Following is the text of the fact sheet:

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Fact Sheet: U.S.-Taiwan Market Access Agreement

Industrial Products

Industrial Tariffs

Taiwan has committed to reduce its average tariff rates for industrial products from 6.5 percent to 4.9 percent by year 2002 and to 4.7 percent by year 2004. These reductions will result in savings to U.S. exporters of some $250 million based on current export levels.

Taiwan will participate in all Uruguay Round (UR) zero-for-zero sectoral initiatives. These initiatives include chemical harmonization and the elimination of tariffs on medical equipment, furniture, toys, steel, paper, construction equipment, agriculture equipment, civil aircraft, and distilled spirits. Apart from a few categories where Taiwan will eliminate duties in 2004, Taiwan has offered to completely eliminate duties in these sectors by 2002. Taiwan is also participating in the zero-for-zero Information Technology Agreement, and is an active participant in ITA II.

Taiwan has agreed to actively support all of the APEC sectoral initiatives and, when an agreement is reached in APEC on the sectoral initiatives, Taiwan will include it in its WTO schedule. The immediate APEC initiatives include energy, equipment and services, environmental goods and services, forest products, toys, chemicals, medical equipment, fish and fish products, gems and jewelry, and telecommunications mutual recognition agreements.

Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals

Taiwan has agreed to fully participate in the Uruguay Round Chemical Harmonization Tariff Agreement by 2002 with limited exceptions to year 2004. This Agreement provides for very low tariffs -- 0 percent for raw materials and pharmaceuticals, 5.5 percent for intermediates, and 6.5 percent for manufactured chemicals -- for U.S. exports to Taiwan. In 1996, the United States exported $2.4 billion of chemicals and pharmaceuticals to Taiwan. The market for chemicals in Taiwan in 1997 was $47 billion.

Medical Equipment and Supplies

Taiwan agreed to completely eliminate tariffs for all medical equipment and supplies by year 2002 with some tariffs reaching 0 percent immediately upon accession. Taiwan is the fourth-largest medical equipment market in Asia and advanced medical devices are in great demand in Taiwan. Taiwan's 6 medical device market size was about $630 million in 1997, of which the U.S. held 37 percent. The United States exported an estimated $150 million of medical equipment and supplies to Taiwan in 1997.

Wood

Taiwan has agreed completely to eliminate tariffs on all wood products except a few plywood items by year 2002. Taiwan's commitment is a very positive step in support of the APEC forest products sectoral liberalization. In 1996, the United States exported $126 million worth of wood products to Taiwan.

Paper

Taiwan has agreed to completely eliminate import duties on paper and paperboard products by 2002, and will completely eliminate tariffs on several key paper products, such as newsprint, by 2000. Taiwan is currently the 5th largest paper and paperboard consuming market in Asia. Taiwan ranks as the 4th largest importer of paper and paperboard in Asia, which is the world's fastest growing paper market.

In 1997, U.S. exports of paper were valued at $254 million, which was nearly 20 percent above the 1996 value and represented an all-time high for the United States. Taiwan is now the 9th largest export market for U.S. paper and paperboard producers.

In the Uruguay Round, the United States was joined by a number of countries in supporting the zero-for-zero tariff initiative for paper and paperboard products whereby tariffs will be eliminated by year 2004. With Taiwan's tariff removal, nearly 55 percent of U.S. exports of paper products will enjoy duty-free access abroad by 2004.

Furniture

Taiwan tariffs on certain furniture products will be reduced to zero immediately upon accession and tariffs on all other furniture items will be reduced to zero by January 1, 2002. Current tariffs on furniture range from 1.25 percent to 10 percent for products from the United States.

By the year 2003, U.S. manufacturers will enjoy zero tariffs in the EU and NAFTA countries, Norway, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Israel, as well as Taiwan, based on currently negotiated agreements. These countries accounted for 70 percent of U.S. exports of furniture in 1996.

Motor Vehicles

The tariff on motor vehicle imports will be reduced from 30 percent to 20 percent over a reasonable period.

In addition, Taiwan will replace its current system of three commodity tax levels based on engine displacement, with a two-level system. At 2000cc and below, the tax remains at 25 percent. Vehicles at 2001cc and above, however, will be taxed at 35 percent upon accession, and further lowered to 30 percent five years after accession. Currently, Taiwan taxes passenger cars at 2000cc and below at 25 percent, cars between 2001cc and 3600cc at 35 percent, and the 3600cc and above category at 60 percent.

A tariff-rate quota will be in place for ten years after accession. For countries enjoying access to the Taiwan market before 1997 -- of which the U.S. has the largest share -- the quota will be double the amount of their highest level of imports between 1990 and 1993. Tariffs on motor vehicles outside the quota will be phased down from 60 percent to 20 percent over the ten-year TRQ period, after which the TRQ will be entirely eliminated.

Upon accession, Taiwan will eliminate the trade distorting effects of its engine displacement tax which significantly disadvantages vehicles that U.S. companies produce and export.

The Taiwan market for motor vehicles is expected to be approximately 500,000 units in 1998. The U.S. quota allocation will be approximately 160,000 vehicles on accession, or potentially 32 percent of the market, and will grow by 20 percent in each of the following ten years.

The reduction in tariffs applied to imported motor vehicles, coupled with the reduction in the commodity tax, will significantly improve the competitiveness of U.S.-built motor vehicles in the Taiwan market.

Taiwan has also agreed to significantly liberalized sales and business conditions including revision of local content requirements, elimination of a local design credit, facilitation of used-car transactions, long-term vehicle leasing, and deregulation of auto insurance premiums.

Steel

Taiwan agreed to completely eliminate its tariffs on steel mill products and certain fabricated steel mill products by January 1, 2004. The current tariffs on certain key U.S. steel exports range up to 10 percent. Taiwan had already been an important market for U.S. steel mill products.

As part of the Uruguay Round, several WTO members agreed to eliminate their tariffs on steel and certain fabricated-steel products over a ten-year period. Those tariffs are being reduced in equal increments with zero tariffs by January 1, 2004. Many of the largest steel-producing countries are participating, including the United States, the European Union, Japan, Canada, and South Korea, as well as Norway, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Singapore. With Taiwan's new commitment on steel, 87 percent of U.S. steel exports (based on 1997 trade) will be eligible for duty-free treatment by 2004.

Privatization of Taiwan's Monopoly Board

Taiwan is now in the process of privatizing its state monopoly which controls sales of alcohol and tobacco products. Taiwan has agreed that the changes resulting from this privatization will eliminate discriminatory treatment of foreign beer, wine, distilled spirits, and tobacco.

In addition, Taiwan has agreed to completely eliminate tariffs on both brown and white spirits (e.g., bourbon, whiskey, gin, and vodka) by 2000. Tariffs on beer will be completely eliminated by 2005. Tariffs on wine will go down to 10 percent by 2002. Taiwan's spirits sector, previously controlled by a Taiwan monopoly, will be substantially opened to foreign investment and distribution.

Civil Aircraft

Taiwan will join the WTO Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft under which it will eliminate of tariffs on civil aircraft and parts, whether for use by manufacturers or for maintenance or repair. This commitment will also bind Taiwan to allow its airlines to select suppliers of aircraft on the basis of commercial and technological factors. In 1997, U.S. exports of civil aircraft to Taiwan reached $2.2 million.

Dolls, Toys, and Games

Taiwan tariffs on certain toys will be reduced to zero immediately upon accession; tariffs on all other dolls, toys, and games will be reduced to zero by January 1, 2002. Current tariffs on dolls, toys, and games range from 5 percent to 10 percent for products from the United States.

Government Procurement

Taiwan has agreed to participate in the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement, a plurilateral agreement that imposes international transparency norms on government bidding processes. Taiwan's commitment covers about $15.4 billion in infrastructure projects, one of the world's largest markets for government procurement contracts. Among key areas of U.S. interest are telecommunications equipment, power plant engineering design services, integrated engineering services for power transmission and distribution turnkey projects, transport projects, and especially rail.

Taiwan will establish a new mechanism, under the Public Construction Commission (PCC), for mediation and binding arbitration applicable to contracts issued by Taiwan agencies. Such 9 procedures will provide for simple, standard terms and conditions which set out clear, time-limited steps to commence dispute settlement proceedings.

The PCC will also insure the transparency, uniformity, and integrity of Taiwan's procurement procedures by providing clear guidance to procuring entities.

Taiwan's participation in the WTO's Agreement on Government Procurement and the expanded role of the Public Construction Commission (PCC) will ensure that domestic and foreign companies can compete on equal footing for projects in Taiwan.

Services

Taiwan has agreed that on accession it will open completely a number of service sectors including professional services (architects, accountants, engineers, lawyers), audiovisual services, express delivery services, advertising, computer services, construction, wholesale and retail distribution, franchising, and environmental services.

Financial Services

In the area of financial services -- banking, insurance, and securities -- guarantee substantially full market access and national treatment for U.S. companies. With these commitments, U.S. banks, insurance companies, and mutual funds will have greater freedom of access to consumers in Taiwan, and greater freedom of choice in conducting their commercial operations.

Telecommunications

Interconnection Fees. The fees Taiwan's state-owned telecommunications company, Chung Hwa, charges cellular phone companies are among the highest in the world. Taiwan has agreed to move rapidly toward competitive international rates for interconnection charges by the time Chung Hwa is privatized in 2001. It will start by lowering these rates significantly by October 1, 1998 (from about 6 U.S. cents/minute to 3.5 U.S. cents/minute). By 2001, its rates will be no higher than rates charged in major developed countries (currently less than 2 U.S. cents/minute).

Ownership. Taiwan has agreed for the first time that U.S. and other foreign companies can hold a controlling interest (60 percent) in Taiwan telecom companies.

Taiwan's telecommunications services and equipment industries have $8.2 billion in revenues. The U.S. exported $222 million of telecommunications equipment to Taiwan in 10 1996. The market for services and equipment in Taiwan is expected to grow at double-digit rates.

Illustrative of the benefits market opening in the services sector are:

-- U.S. movie makers will no longer be subject to tight restrictions on the number of theaters that can show U.S. films and will no longer be subject to lengthy censorship delays.

-- U.S. banks will now be able to provide new services to Taiwan depositors.

-- U.S. express delivery companies will be able to handle all ground services for most deliveries.

-- U.S. insurance companies will have more leeway to write policies, extend new coverage, and establish operations.

-- U.S. retailers will have virtually free access to sell goods in Taiwan's market.

-- U.S. companies operating in Taiwan will be free to bring in personnel they need to run their business.

Agriculture Issues

Beef and Beef Variety Meats

Taiwan will provide immediate market opening of 5,000 tons for U.S. beef variety meats annually at current tariff rates, with the unused amounts in any year to be carried over to the next year.

In addition, Taiwan has agreed to completely open its market to imports of beef variety meats upon accession at a tariff rate of 25 percent. Taiwan also has agreed to reduce the specific tariff for beef from current rates to the equivalent of 14 U.S. cents/pound (NT$ 10/kilogram) by 2005. Current rates are NT$ 22.1/kilogram for Special Quality Beef and NT$ 30.00/kilogram for all other beef. USDA "Prime" and "Choice" grade are equivalent to Special Quality Beef (SQB).

Immediate market access will provide market opportunities for U.S. beef producers worth $8.3 million. As Taiwan is currently the seventh largest foreign market for U.S. beef exports, lower tariffs should make U.S. beef even more price competitive in this market.

Pork

Taiwan will lift its remaining bans on selected pork cuts and variety meats immediately. Taiwan has agreed to an immediate market opening of 5,000 tons of these currently-banned pork cuts and 7,500 tons for pork variety meats for the United States.

Taiwan has agreed to fully open the market for these pork products and will establish a tariff rate quota system that will gradually increase access until the market is completely open by 2005.

Upon accession, Taiwan will fully open access to many banned pork cuts and establish a tariff rate quota for the remaining restricted pork cuts, bellies, and spare ribs and for pork variety meats. The quota for pork bellies will be 6,610 tons, at 15 percent tariff, increasing to 15,400 tons at 12.5 percent tariff in 2004, before the market is completely opened on January 1, 2005. The quota for pork variety meats will be 10,000 tons at 25 percent tariff, increasing to 27,500 tons at 15 percent tariff in 2004.

Taiwan's market opening for pork products provides immediate market opportunities for U.S. farmers of almost $18 million. In the first year after accession, Taiwan's pork import opportunities will increase by an additional $22.5 million.

Poultry

Taiwan has agreed to an immediate market opening of 10,000 tons for U.S. chicken meat at a tariff rate of 25 percent.

Upon accession, Taiwan will establish a tariff rate quota for chicken meat of 19,163 tons, growing to 45,990 tons by 2004 before the market is completely opened on January 1, 2005. The in-quota tariff rate for chicken meat will be 25 percent upon accession, falling to 20 percent by 2004.

The immediate market opening will provide sales opportunities for U.S. farmers of almost $10 million annually. Trade in the first year of the TRQ will reach $18 million, increasing to about $43 million in 2004.

Rice

Taiwan will lift its ban on imports on rice upon accession, and establish an import quota proportionally equal to access in the current year of the Japan schedule. This quota will double to 144,720 metric tons in the year 2000.

A portion of this quota will be allocated for private sector trade in rice, increasing from 21 percent to 35 percent in 2000. The rest of the rice quota will be imported by central authorities with conditions that will facilitate its release for table use in Taiwan. The import mechanism has been formulated to facilitate market-oriented pricing of imported rice. In addition to the market access agreement, Taiwan has agreed to reduce its internal support measures by 20 percent of the average of the 1990-92 base period by the year 2000. Furthermore, Taiwan has agreed to change its practices that have forced surplus rice onto the international market.

This agreement provides U.S. farmers with a new market opportunity worth almost $60 million in the first year of implementation. Private traders will have direct access to an increasingly large share of the quota (through a license allocation system), which will allow U.S. exporters to establish long-standing relationships to promote the sale of U.S. labeled rice in Taiwan.

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