TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Tuesday urged opposition parties not to block a Taiwan–US trade agreement, citing President Donald Trump’s recent tariff move targeting South Korea as a warning sign.

Lai called on the legislature to support what he described as a favorable outcome negotiated by the government, warning the US could raise tariffs on Taiwan if lawmakers fail to act in time, per UDN. He said opposition parties should avoid undermining the government’s efforts in ways that could harm the public.

The agreement, structured as a memorandum of understanding, would lower US tariffs on certain Taiwanese exports — including semiconductor-related products — to 15%, down from higher levels.

Industry groups echoed the president’s position. The Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders’ Association said its members recognized the administration’s efforts and hoped the agreement would not be delayed or derailed, per CNA.

General Chamber of Commerce Chair Hsu Shu-po (許舒博) said there was broad support within the business community for the proposed tariff rates and urged the legislature to review and approve the agreement as soon as possible, per Newtalk. He warned prolonged delays could carry significant consequences.

Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Michelle Lin (林楚茵) said Trump’s decision to impose new tariffs on South Korea should serve as a warning to the Kuomintang and the Taiwan People’s Party, per Fount Media. She argued that if tariff levels were raised back to 25%, responsibility would lie with legislative obstruction rather than the government’s negotiating capacity.

DPP Taichung City Councilor Chang Chao-kuo (江肇國) criticized Legislative Yuan Deputy Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣), saying that because trade agreements must either be approved in full or rejected, calls for prolonged review amounted to a delay tactic that could harm Taiwan’s interests, per SETN.

Chiang responded that the legislature had not yet received the full text of the agreement and therefore could not begin its review, per Liberty Times. He said legislative scrutiny is intended to inform the public of both favorable and unfavorable provisions and allow for possible adjustments.

Chiang called on all parties to work together to secure the best possible terms, adding that transparency should be a priority. He urged the executive branch to submit the agreement to the legislature if it has already been signed.

The KMT legislative caucus echoed Chiang’s stance, with caucus Secretary-General Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強) pledging to review the agreement in accordance with the law, per CNA. The TPP legislative caucus urged the DPP to uphold the transparency standards it advocated during the 2014 Sunflower Movement and criticized the administration for citing Trump’s tariff threats to pressure lawmakers, per Cnews.

KMT Legislator Niu Hsu-ting (牛煦庭) said the US–South Korea arrangement, also an MOU, may not require parliamentary approval. He argued Taiwan’s agreement could similarly fall outside the Legislature’s ratification authority, as only treaties require formal approval.

Niu said Trump’s tariff threats may be aimed at pressuring middle powers such as Canada and South Korea, which have sought more balanced diplomatic approaches. He added Taiwan could study how South Korea has responded to such pressure.

South Korea’s The Korea Times reported that the ruling Democratic Party of Korea has argued the MOU does not require parliamentary approval and does not link tariff levels to legislative timelines. While South Korea’s main opposition People Power Party has said trade agreements should be ratified, the ruling party has maintained that binding itself legally while the US president retains unilateral flexibility is unnecessary.