The Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce of North America held a forum this Tuesday at the Taipei International Convention Center on a new framework for Taiwan-U.S. economic and trade agreements. U.S.-based orchid business operator Chien Wei-chih (錢微之) said she believes moving production closer to markets may be considered under the new framework.

Chien, who is also currently vice president of the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce in Denver, Colorado, has been investing in the U.S. agricultural sector since 2007, focusing on the orchid industry. She has collaborated with Taiwanese agricultural companies to introduce superior varieties and advanced cultivation techniques. She also participates in Taiwan-U.S. agricultural exchange and cooperation projects, promoting connections between the two sides in technology, investment, and market expansion.

During a panel discussion at the forum, Chien mentioned that the current crisis facing agriculture lies in supply chains and market security. She pointed out that when transportation costs and tariffs affect operations, it is important to consider whether the main production should be located closer to its largest market. In the case of orchids, the U.S. is Taiwan’s largest export market.

Orchids exported to the U.S. were originally exempt from tariffs until last April, when a 32% tariff was enacted on Taiwanese orchids; this was later reduced to 20%. When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled U.S. President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs illegal, Trump announced a 10% tariff on all imported products globally, subsequently increasing the tariff on Taiwanese orchids to 15%.

Chien said she has collaborated with Taiwanese orchid growers to assess the suitability of local climates and calculate the cost-effectiveness of labor, land, and time expenditures. She intends to provide the final data to Taiwanese growers, allowing them to evaluate the profitability of relocating production bases to the United States.