Happy Monday from Taipei!

Spring is in full swing, and so is our event calendar — starting with next week’s GTO Wirtschaftsstammtisch – Spring Edition 2025, taking place on Wednesday, April 23! We’re looking forward to an evening of great conversations, new connections, and timely insights — this time including a short outlook on the recent German Federal Elections and their potential impact on German companies in Taiwan.

We're also gearing up for the Taiwanese-German Conference on Healthcare Applications on May 20, which will bring together German and Taiwanese stakeholders from the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors for a day of knowledge exchange and cross-border collaboration. Following that, don’t miss your chance to connect directly with five visiting German companies at our B2B meetings from May 21 to 23. Whether you're in drug development, medical devices, or packaging solutions, now is the perfect time to discover new partners and explore opportunities.

In response to recent developments in U.S. trade policy, we’ve launched a dedicated Tariff Ticker on our website to keep you updated. It’s part of our ongoing service to help you navigate policy changes and protect your business interests. The section also includes an overview of financial relief measures offered by the Taiwanese government for affected industries. While we strive to ensure the information is as current and complete as possible, please note that we cannot guarantee full accuracy at all times.

As always, you’ll find more in our GTO News section, where we recap last week’s highlights and share what’s happening around our office. In our Trade Fair & Delegation Highlights, we cover not just international fairs like LogiMAT, but also give a preview of our enhanced Saxony Delegation this June. Following the great success of last year’s visit, this year’s delegation will take place alongside Silicon Saxony Day, one of Europe’s top high-tech networking events. Expect field visits, investment consultations, and direct connections to Saxony’s semiconductor ecosystem — ideal for companies exploring opportunities in Germany.

Finally, stay informed with the latest Taiwan News, including strong export figures and new momentum in trade talks — a reminder of the region’s continued economic resilience.

Warm regards,

Join fellow professionals from the German-Taiwanese business community for an evening of relaxed networking, engaging conversations, and new connections at the cozy and inviting Hua Shan Din Café x Bar. Whether you're looking to exchange ideas, establish new partnerships, or simply enjoy the good company, this is the ideal occasion to catch up and expand your network.

This event will also feature a presentation on how the 2025 German Federal Elections and the new U. S. administration could impact German companies’ business operations in Taiwan. Our Chief Representative & Executive Director, Dr. Eva Langerbeck, will present the key findings from our recent survey on this topic.

Don’t miss out on this valuable networking opportunity  — we look forward to welcoming you on April 23rd!

Event Details 

• Date: April 23, 2025 (Wed)
  
• Venue: Hua Shan Din Café x Bar (No. 34, Section 1, Bade Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 100)
• Time: 18:00 - 21:00
• Price: 2,200 NT$ (including VAT, price includes dinner as well as soft drinks and a free flow of Erdinger beer, kindly sponsored by Millenia Commercial 美樂啤酒股份有限公司
  

DEinternational Taiwan Ltd., the service unit of the German Trade Office Taipei, organizes a conference in the healthcare sector with a focus on pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, which will take place on May 20, 2025. The conference is part of a delegation trip of German companies to Taiwan which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action under the market entry programme.

Event Details 

• Date: May 20, 2025
• Venue: Illume Taipei
• Time: 9:30 – 16:00 (registration time: 9:00 – 9:30)
• Language: English

Agenda

The preliminary agenda can be found on our website.

As part of the Healthcare Applications delegation, we’re bringing 5 strong companies of German pharma and biotech to Taiwan. Don’t miss your chance to connect directly with industry leaders through exclusive one-on-one B2B meetings from May 21 to 23.

This delegation trip, funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action under the market entry programme, brings together cutting-edge players in drug development, medical packaging, coating technology, cell culture, and more:

🔹 BioMed X GmbH – Biomedical research & drug discovery
🔹 HWI pharma services GmbH – Formulation, analytics & regulatory support
🔹 PRIMACYT Cell Culture Technology GmbH – Liver-related research products & medical device testing
🔹 ROHDE KG – Hygienic coatings for healthcare facilities
🔹 Sensoplast Packmitteltechnik GmbH – High-precision closures & medical devices

Book your one-on-one B2B meeting now and explore partnership opportunities with Germany’s healthcare innovators.

B2B Meetings: May 21–23 (By appointment)

Learn more about the companies and secure your meeting slot!

GTO Wirtschaftsstammtisch – Spring Edition 2025
23.04.2025 | Location: Taipei

Taiwanese-German Conference on Healthcare Applications
20.05.2025 | Location: Taipei

Update as of April 14:

On April 11, 2025, the Trump administration announced tariff exemptions on smartphones, computers, and other electronic devices primarily imported from China. New guidance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection also includes exclusions for additional electronic devices and components, such as semiconductors, solar cells, flat panel TV displays, flash drives, and memory cards. (CNBC) On April 13, President Trump stated that tariffs on semiconductors will be announced in the “near future.” However, he also expressed a degree of “flexibility” regarding tariffs on products like cellphones and tablets. (CNN) At this point, the exact scope of the new tariff regime remains unclear.

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Update on April 10:
On April 9, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced an immediate 90-day pause on increased tariffs for countries that were previously subject to rates higher than the universal 10 percent tariff. The new measure applies to virtually all countries—except China. (CBS News)

According to current information, Germany—as part of the EU—and Taiwan are included in the 90-day pause and are therefore subject only to the 10 percent universal tariff rate. It remains unclear what will happen once the 90-day period concludes.

The Taiwanese government has released relevant information to support ministries and companies in navigating the current situation. Please refer to the links below for further details (currently available in Chinese only):

• Information for companies
• Information for ministries and commissions (Support Program for Taiwan’s Export Supply Chains)

We have prepared an English summary of the document Support Program for Taiwan’s Export Supply Chains, available on our continuously updated Tariff Ticker page. Stay informed with us!

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On April 2, 2025, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced a sweeping new tariff regime targeting key trading partners, including Germany as part of the European Union (EU) and Taiwan.

All information provided has been compiled to the best of our knowledge and belief, based on publicly available sources as of April 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and completeness, we accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or subsequent changes in the information presented.

On March 24, we had the pleasure of joining the office relocation ceremony of our Business Alliance member Melchers, kindly hosted by Managing Director Tudor Pascu. The event was also attended by Mr. Dirk Sänger, Managing Partner at C. Melchers GmbH & Co. KG and Co-Chairman of the Taiwan-Germany Joint Business Council Meeting (JBC).

With roots dating back to 1806 in Bremen and its first Asian branch opening in Hong Kong in 1866, Melchers has built a strong legacy in Asia. Their Taiwan office, established in 1971, has grown from importing goods to becoming a key player in the machinery sector.

Today, Melchers continues to act as a bridge for global brands, delivering quality German products and services to the Taiwanese market.

Congratulations on this new milestone!

Dr. Eva Langerbeck, Chief Representative and Executive Director of the German Trade Office Taipei, met recently with Legislator Mr. Hung-Lu Chang, Chairperson of the Taiwan-Germany Parliamentary Friendship Association, to discuss the growing economic cooperation between Taiwan and Germany, as well as prospects for future collaboration.

With the groundbreaking ceremony of TSMC’s plant in Germany, bilateral exchanges have become even more frequent. As Legislator Chang pointed out, Taiwan and Germany have long maintained strong ties in areas such as machinery, machine tool components, and SMEs. Many of Taiwan’s small and family-run businesses may not be large in scale but offer world-class quality and innovation—they are true "hidden champions."

Legislator Chang also shared insights from his delegation’s visit to Germany last year, where he experienced firsthand Germany’s warm welcome and high regard for Taiwan at all levels. He also highlighted the practical challenges that Taiwanese professionals and their families might face when relocating to Germany, such as housing, education, and cultural adaptation.

We look forward to leveraging the German Trade Office's platform to facilitate deeper connections between Taiwanese and German SMEs. We also hope to visit outstanding hidden champion enterprises in central and southern Taiwan to better understand the vitality and resilience of Taiwan’s industries.

Last week, we successfully hosted a seminar in Taichung together with the Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders’ Association (TMBA), bringing together key stakeholders from the semiconductor and precision machinery industries.

With expert insights from Cornelia Probst (Saxony Trade & Invest), Steffen Rietzschel (City of Dresden), Frank Bösenberg (Silicon Saxony), Chee How Tan (Infineon Technologies Taiwan), and Jiun Chen (ITRI), the event offered a comprehensive look into cross-border cooperation and emerging opportunities between Taiwan and Germany.

Looking ahead, we will continue this momentum by leading a high-level business delegation to Saxony from June 16–19, 2025. This visit will offer participants an in-depth understanding of Saxony’s investment landscape and its vibrant semiconductor ecosystem, along with valuable opportunities to connect with local industry leaders and explore potential partnerships.

📍 2025/6/16 - 6/19 Silicon Saxony Day Semiconductor Business Delegation

For more information about the Saxony Business Delegation, please refer to the Trade Fair section below.

To join the delegation, please contact Ms. Peng at: peng.venus@taiwan.ahk.de / 02-7735-7524.

Join us for an exclusive journey to LEARNTEC 2025, Europe’s largest digital learning exhibition, and explore new opportunities in the global Ed-Tech market! This delegation offers:

• LEARNTEC Highlights: A curated tour of cutting-edge Ed-Tech innovations and professional forums
• Networking Opportunities: Meet local distributors, universities, and decision-makers
• Academic Exchanges: Visit German universities and research institutions to explore collaboration models
• Business Matching: Connect with European Ed-Tech companies to discover market strategies and potential partnerships
• Expert Insights: Attend lectures and high-level events to gain market insights and build international connections

Event Details

• Date: May 5–8, 2025
  
• Location: Karlsruhe, Germany

This is a unique opportunity to expand your Ed-Tech presence in Europe. Don’t miss out—register now!

For inquiries and registration, please contact Ms. Venus Peng.

LEARNTEC is a unique combination of convention and trade fair. It showcases IT-supported learning methods and technologies and best practices in life-long learning: imparting knowledge in companies, schools and higher education institutions. At LEARNTEC you will have the chance to meet highly qualified specialists from the e-learning and education sector in the same location over a concentrated three-day period. Almost all relevant providers of digital education and decision-makers from all business sectors and public institutions will be coming together here.h

For more information visit our website or contact Ms. Venus Peng.

The Smarter E Europe 2025 Booths are almost fully booked!

Smarter E Europe, the world's largest trading platform for the energy industry, will be held from May 7-9, 2025 at Messe München, Germany. Smarter E Europe unites four major exhibitions: Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe, and EM-Power Europe. These exhibitions will cover renewable energy, batteries, and energy storage systems, charging equipment and e-mobility, as well as energy management and integrated solutions.

In 2024, Intelligent Energy Europe attracted more than 3,000 exhibitors showcasing a wide range of innovative products and nearly 110,000 professional buyers from around the world. More than 2,500 participants signed up for industry seminars and business events during the show, setting an unprecedented record for business exchanges.

In 2025 edition, German Trade Office Taipei also partners with TAITRA to organize the Taiwan Pavilion at Intersolar Europe in Hall A3. 9 Taiwanese companies have already confirmed their participation in the pavilion. We cordially invite Taiwanese companies in these industries to join us and step further into the European and international markets.   

If you are interested in exhibiting at The Smarter E Global Events, such as Middle East, India, Central and South America editions, please contact our colleague Mr. Pinchao Huang. We look forward to seeing you in Munich to explore the business opportunities of the future energies!

For more information visit our website.

Following the great success of last year’s Delegation to Saxony, we are excited to launch an enhanced version this June. Taking place during Silicon Saxony Day, one of Europe’s premier high-tech networking events, the delegation will offer in-depth insights into the investment environment and industry opportunities in Saxony for Taiwan’s semiconductor supply chain.

Highlights

• Field Check  – Gain firsthand insights into the investment environment and industry ecosystem in Saxony
• Investment Consultation – A comprehensive briefing session included group consultation and one-on-one meeting to address key investment concerns for Taiwanese companies.
• Joint Venture  – Opportunity to cooperate with local companies 
• Industry Connections – Engage with Saxony’s semiconductor ecosystem and leading enterprises

Date: June 16–19, 2025
Location: Dresden, Saxony, Germany

Interested in joining? Contact Ms. Venus Peng for more details. Spots are limited—register now!

From September 3–5, 2025, Asia Fruit Logistica will return to AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, bringing together industry professionals from across the global fresh produce sector. With more than 760 exhibitors and 13,000 buyers from over 70 countries attending in 2024, the event continues to be a key platform for businesses in fruits, vegetables, organics, logistics, and more.

The 2025 edition will feature expanded categories, including Smart AgriTech, Frozen Fruits & Vegetables, and Dried Nuts, reflecting the latest industry innovations and trends.

For more details, contact Ms. Venus Peng.

Are you ready to expand your microelectronics business in Taiwan, a global hub for cutting-edge semiconductor technologies? SEMICON Taiwan is the premier platform to connect with industry leaders and showcase your innovations. In 2024, the event attracted an impressive 85,000 visitors, 1,100 exhibitors, and 3,700 booths!

Our German Pavilion at SEMICON Taiwan 2025 will take place in TaiNEX Hall 1, 1F, from September 10 to 12.

Why exhibit with us?

• Prime booth location within the German Pavilion
• Fully equipped, walk-in booth setup for convenience
• Access to shared facilities, including a business lounge and Happy Hour for exhibitors and buyer.
• Boosted visibility with added media exposure

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to showcase your products, connect with key buyers, and grow your footprint in one of the world’s most dynamic semiconductor markets!

Act fast—spots are limited! Contact Ms. Peng for more information:

Join the world leader in energy technology! MR’s subsidiary Reinhausen Taiwan Ltd. located in Taipei is seeking a dedicated technical service professional to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will be responsible for providing exceptional On-Load Tap Changers maintenance, technical support, repair works, and investigation to our valued customers.

The ideal candidate should have:
🔹 Engineering background (Electrical, Mechanical, or Mechatronics)
🔹 Enjoys hands-on work and customer oriented
🔹 Willing to travel, fluent in English & Mandarin

This is an onsite position and requires candidates to be based in Taipei, Taiwan

Interested in shaping the future of energy with MR?
Click here to learn more and apply today!

Join us for All-Chambers Taipei Connect, the first major inter-chamber networking event of 2025!

• Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025
• Time: 18:00 – 21:30 (Registration from 17:30)
• Venue: Mandarin Oriental Taipei

This edition features a panel discussion on “Attracting and Retaining Talents”, moderated by Kwangyin Liu (CommonWealth Magazine), with speakers from NTU, Crossroads, and the Taiwan Employment Gold Card Office.

Enjoy valuable networking, buffet dinner, and drinks with members of 9 international chambers.

Register now!

For inquiries about this event, please contact director@swedchamtw.org.

Taiwan-U.S. Tariff Talks Off to a Smooth Start

President Lai Ching-te confirmed that Taiwan has officially started negotiations with the United States on reciprocal tariffs, describing the process as "smooth." Speaking at a Rotary International conference, Lai emphasized Taiwan’s economic resilience and reassured the public that response strategies are in place to minimize potential impacts of U.S. tariff changes.

Taiwan plans to strengthen trade ties with the U.S. by increasing American imports and advancing industrial cooperation. The government is also working to remove longstanding nontariff barriers and support affected domestic sectors. Initial talks took place via teleconference last week, with more discussions planned soon.

(Last access: 14.04.2025 / Focus Taiwan)

Taiwan’s Exports Climb for 17th Consecutive Month

Taiwan's exports surged by 18.6% year-on-year in March, reaching US$49.57 billion, marking the 17th straight month of growth. According to the Ministry of Finance, this rise was driven by robust global demand for AI and high-performance computing as well as by frontloaded shipments amid U.S. tariff concerns.

Electronics and ICT were the top-performing sectors: exports of electronic components grew by 19.3% to US$17.53 billion, while information communications and video/audio exports jumped 34.2% to a record-breaking US$16.94 billion. These two industries alone contributed to 92% of the overall export growth. For Q1, ICT exports reached a historic US$43.51 billion. Despite a few weaker sectors like plastics and textiles, Taiwan ended March with a trade surplus of US$6.95 billion.

(Last access: 14.04.2025 / Focus Taiwan)

TSMC Reports 42% Revenue Surge in Q1 2025

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world’s largest contract chipmaker, reported a 42% year-on-year revenue increase for the first quarter of 2025, reaching NT$839.3 billion (US$25.6 billion). The result slightly exceeded market forecasts and fell within the company’s previously announced guidance. TSMC attributed the strong performance to sustained global demand for AI-driven technologies.

Despite ongoing market volatility and the impact of a January earthquake, TSMC remains a central supplier for tech giants such as Apple and Nvidia. While the company’s stock had dropped nearly 20% earlier this year following the announcement of new U.S. tariffs, the recent 90-day tariff pause has prompted a notable rebound. Full Q1 earnings and forward-looking guidance are expected to be released on April 17.

(Last access: 14.04.2025 / Reuters)

EVA Air Expands Fleet with Airbus Order

This move brings EVA’s Airbus backlog to 42 aircraft and follows a strong financial year. In 2024, the airline achieved a record net profit of NT$30.4 billion, serving over 13 million passengers with an average load factor of 82.6%. EVA Air aims to strengthen its global market position by enhancing capacity and fuel efficiency amid rising post-pandemic travel demand.

(Last access: 14.04.2025 / Focus Taiwan)