Tainan’s Houbi farmers fear zero-tariff trade talks with the U.S. could flood Taiwan with cheaper rice, leading to a collapse in income, jobs, and the future of local farming.
Lush green fields stretch out as far as the eye can see — this is a common sight across Tainan’s Houbi District, a region known for its premium rice. But behind this peaceful view, the mood among farmers is anything but calm.
With the new U.S. reciprocal tariff policy, future trade negotiations may proceed based on zero tariffs on both sides, a worrying concern for Taiwan’s farmers.
Currently, Taiwanese rice is priced at NT$40–50 (US$1.5) per kilogram, but American rice is about 30–40% cheaper. Farmers say as it is, they’re already struggling with high costs. With over half of Tainan's Houbi population involved in agriculture, residents worry about a triple blow: price collapse, unemployment, and the end of traditional farming.
As trade talks loom, these farmers urge the government to rice to the occasion and not let policy decisions jeopardize their livelihoods.
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