Forward-looking‧Professional‧International 
May 2019  
Trade war escalates global economic uncertainties
TIER business composite indicators slump simultaneously
The trade war between the US and China, two economic giants in the world, has been escalating. The intensifying trade conflicts add further uncertainties to the global economy. The Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER) issued its most recent composite indicators for manufacturing, service and construction. All of three indicators go down at the same time signaling a rather pessimistic business sentiment.
Taiwan's exports in April 2019 decreased by 3.30% compared with the same month of 2018, and it is the 6th-month consecutive decrease. Regarding imports, Taiwan's imports in April 2019 increased by 2.60% compared with imports in April 2018. On the cumulated basis, exports and imports from January till the end of April this year gave a trade surplus of US$ 11.61 billion or decreased by 27.0% on a y-o-y basis.
Taiwan's consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0.66% in April 2019 compared with the same month of previous year. The core inflation rate excluding prices of the energy and food grew by 0.59% in April 2019. In addition, the wholesale price index (WPI) moved up by 0.58% in April 2019 on the year-on-year basis.
As for exchange rate, the NTD similar to all other major currencies in the world went somewhat weaker due to the relatively stronger USD backed by stronger US economic performance. The NTD/USD stood at 30.905 in late April 2019 indicating a 0.26% depreciation.
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Organic farming promotion act takes effect
Countries planning to sell organic produce to Taiwan would have to sign equivalence agreements with the nation within one year after the Organic Agriculture Promotion Act took effect in May, Council of Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-chung said, hailing the act’s implementation as a step forward in agricultural transformation. The act, which was promulgated on May 30 last year for implementation a year after, aims to protect domestic organic farmers, Chen said. The agreements mean both sides mutually recognize the other’s organic produce. (Source: Taipei Times)

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