About this episode
Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened marginally higher this morning from yesterday's close, at
33,086 on turnover of 12.1-billion N-T.
The market ended at a high of just over 33,000 points on Tuesday as Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing registered strong gains after its American
depositary receipts closed at a record price overnight.
MOEA sets aside NT$30 billion to cushion auto industry amid US tariff deal
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has set aside 30-billion N-T to support
Taiwan's automobile industry as it prepares for changes to tariffs under a
Taiwan-US trade agreement,
According to Economics Minister Kung Ming-hsin, initial assessments indicate
that the impact on domestic industrial output could exceed (??) 1-per cent
but will remain "manageable."
Kung says the funding will help the automobile and auto parts industry absorb
(??)shocks, advance transformation and upgrading, and strengthen
independent research and development and exports.
Kung also says any tariff arrangements will apply only to US-made vehicles
and such vehicles will be defined only if they meet country of origin and
value-added content requirements consistent with existing international
standards.
Population declines for 25th consecutive month
The Ministry of the Interior says the island's population fell for a 25th
consecutive month in January -- with the number of live births falling by 304
from December of 2025.
According to the latest data, as of the end of January, the population
totaled 23,289,045, down 10,087 from December.
A total of 8,723 babies were born in January, 304 fewer than in December and
772 fewer than a year earlier.
The interior ministry says that translates to roughly one birth every 5.1
minutes and an annual crude birth rate (????) of 4.41 per 1,000 people.
Deaths totaled 17,529 in January, or about one every 2.5 minutes and the
crude death rate was 8.86 per 1,000 people
White House defends Trump Canada bridge attack
The White House has defended US President Donald Trump's threat to block the
opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Ontario with
Michigan.
Trump has told Canada his administration needs to be "fully compensated for
everything", despite (??) both countries co-owning the bridge.
Nick Harper reports from Washington on the White House press secretary
Karoline Leavitt's comments.
