Director-General of the International Trade Administration Meets with President of the Plumbing Hard

To gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the plumbing hardware industry under the current tariff policies, the Director-General of the International Trade Administration under the Ministry of Economic Affairs recently paid a visit to Managing Technology Co., Ltd. There, he held a face-to-face meeting with Mr. Chang Chia-Lieh, General Manager of the company, who also serves as the President of both the Taiwan Transformation and Innovation Association and the Changhua Plumbing Hardware Industry Association. The meeting aimed to listen to industry voices and discuss strategies to address the impact of export-related issues.

The visit focused on examining how recent changes in tariff policies by European and American countries—particularly the imposition of additional duties on tools and plumbing hardware—are affecting small and medium-sized manufacturers in Taiwan. President Chang emphasized that, in facing international trade barriers and increasing pressure to transform amidst industry competition, the sector urgently requires active government support to establish a fair export environment and to provide resources for technological upgrades, thereby helping manufacturers maintain their footing in export markets.

President Chang also cited Managing Technology as a case study to illustrate how companies can achieve transformation and upgrading through three major pillars: digitalization, lean management, and low-carbon processes. These initiatives not only uphold high production quality but also enhance international competitiveness. He called on regulatory agencies to recognize the unique characteristics and export challenges of small and medium-sized enterprises, and to build a more resilient trade support system.

This initiative by the International Trade Administration to engage directly with industry stakeholders demonstrates the government’s proactive attitude toward listening and responding promptly to industry concerns. Both sides committed to maintaining close communication in the future, aiming to build a shared understanding between the public and private sectors and to further strengthen Taiwan’s overall export momentum.