Taiwan's Executive Yuan said 2,231 Taiwanese items were included among exemptions from tariffs under U.S. Section 301 of trade law. Of these, 322 are agricultural goods, including the signature export moth orchid (Phalaenopsis), Liberty Times and others reported.

Section 301 is a U.S. trade-law provision allowing tariffs and other measures against practices Washington deems unfair. Recently the U.S. has repeatedly signaled measures citing the provision against several trading partners.

Once the exempt items are confirmed, some uncertainty lifts for the exporters concerned. For perishable farm goods like orchids in particular, tariffs and customs terms directly affect export competitiveness.

Still, the burden on items left off the exemption list remains a task. Industry is asking the government for further consultation and support measures on the remaining items.

We view the tariff issue by its effect on actual trade practice, not as a matter of winning or losing. For overseas Chinese traders, too, changes in the tariff list are information that flows straight into costs and contract terms.