TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Ministry of Transportation is budgeting NT$400 million (US$12.63 million) for next year to prepare for the liberalization of car imports from the US, reports said Friday.
As a result of the Taiwan-US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade signed in February, Taiwan will have to remove its import limits on cars from the US. With safety test standards differing from country to country, Taiwan has to set up a new post-market surveillance system including a safety test lab, per CNA.
The import quotas will be removed for cars conforming to the US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and to US emission regulations, the report said.
To improve its testing capacity, the ministry is proposing the NT$400 million budget, which includes the constructions of a test lab and other buildings, equipment, and machinery. The center will also require an environmental impact review, an evaluation of its power needs, and fire safety permits.
The ministry said it had discussed the required measures and legal amendments with associations representing Taiwan’s car industry, CNA reported. The changes will be designed to guarantee the safety of consumers, the ministry said, adding its proposals still required approval by the Cabinet.
