An Open Letter to President Trump

Dear President Trump,

On April 2nd, your announcement at the White House regarding the imposition of a 32% reciprocal tariff on Taiwan, along with a 10% general tariff, sparked widespread discussion. When the stock market opened on April 7th, there was only selling and no buying. The media described the scene as a "bloodbath."

First and foremost, I would like to clarify that Taiwan has always been a supporter and contributor to the United States. The following are some examples:

1. In 1966, I assisted an American entrepreneur in developing a precision "Eyelet" without charging any fees, ultimately helping him win a NASA contract. This indirectly contributed to America's victory in the space race.

2. In 1979, I helped Americans develop satellite receivers, facilitating the implementation of Reaganomics.

3. In 1982, I saved Barbie Doll by redesigning the problematic leg armature— without asking Ruth Handler, the inventor of Barbie, for any compensation.

4. From 1986 to 1997, we invented “contactless semiconductors,” which gained significant attention at the Vancouver APEC 1997. Although no Americans participated in its development, U.S. companies such as Disney, IBM, and VISA reaped immense benefits from it.

5. In 2006, after observing failed PDA investments, I proposed "satellite support" during the APEC summit. In 2007, Steve Jobs visited my office in Santa Clara, and I shared the concept of a satellite-supported “smart mobile communicator,” which led to the creation of the Apple iPhone—ushering in tremendous value for the U.S. and establishing a derivative value chain that continues to grow today.

Fig 1: Peter Li-Chang Kuo gained "Satellite Support" at APEC 2006

Let me elaborate on the story from 1966 to demonstrate that Taiwan is not a thief, but rather a significant contributor. An American came to Taiwan with just a drawing, requesting a precision "Eyelet." I worked tirelessly to source steel and iron plates, developed a precision progressive die, built an automatic feeding mechanism, rolled the proper bronze plate, and installed it into an automatic press. Within two days, I produced a physical sample for this young American entrepreneur.

After a dozen revisions, the product finally met the requirements. Yet, the American insisted I also prepare an English “Approval Sheet,” which included not only the schematic and engineering drawings but also technical specifications: 1) Rated Voltage/Current, 2) Electrical Characteristics, 3) Mechanical Properties, 4) Material Specifications, 5) Surface Treatment (Ag-Pl membrane), 6) Terminal Solderability, 7) Temperature Range, 8) Dielectric Strength, 9) Endurance Test (including destruction tests).

To accomplish this, I sought help from Professor Yao Jing-Bo of National Cheng Kung University's Department of Electrical Engineering, who then involved Professor Ma Cheng-Jiu from Mechanical Engineering. After days and nights of effort, I—a 13-year-old blacksmith— miraculously compiled a document that would later become the standard "Approval Sheet" in the electronics industry. This allowed the American entrepreneur to secure NASA contracts and eventually take his company public on the NYSE (Avnet Inc.).

Some people tried to sway me, saying, “Avnet earns one U.S. dollar, and you only make one New Taiwan dollar!” and encouraged me to replace him. But I never did. Instead, I helped him develop various antenna products and supported him in becoming the "Channel Master." My integrity and faithfulness reflect the values of the Taiwanese people, and it's through such virtues that we have continued to grow under God’s grace.

In 1979, that same American told me: “If it weren’t for your help back then, I’d have gone bankrupt. In the U.S., just evaluating that drawing would’ve cost tens of thousands of dollars, and each revision even more. And they still couldn’t match your quality.” That’s how Apollo 4 made it to the moon—with Taiwan’s silent but crucial support.

The Taiwanese are kind and hospitable. Even with families to support, we helped Americans succeed—without asking for compensation. Our contributions were not only technical, but also moral. Taiwan is not a thief, but a helper.

As for Barbie, the original leg armature was fragile and costly. In 1982, with a single glance and 10 seconds, I redesigned the leg armature to be more robust, with 240 times the production efficiency and zero defect rate. Even the roughest child couldn’t break it. Yet in 1986, Mattel shut down its Taiwan operations, leaving thousands jobless.

In 1992, Mrs. Ruth Handler told me: “Thank you for giving Barbie a second life!” She said everyone in the U.S. discusses reward money and compensation upfront—except me, a Taiwanese who saved Barbie without a word and even shared manufacturing secrets. Taiwan is clearly a benefactor to America.

To address the social issues caused by foreign capital withdrawing from Taiwan, we launched the “Rich Taiwan Plan” in 1986, investing in social responsibility investment (SRI) initiatives and supporting innovative industries. We provided services to SMEs across counties and promoted the “Science & Future.” To differentiate from the U.S., Japan, and Germany, we also invented "Contactless Semiconductor" for e-commerce.

My team and I spent 11 years developing this invention and innovation, overcoming challenges like electromagnetic wave interference—something even Einstein couldn’t solve. We officially introduced it at APEC 1997 in Vancouver, igniting global interest. During this difficult process, Americans were absent. Yet after APEC 1998 passed "Steering the E-commerce" regulation and we proposed “Global Channel-TES” at APEC 2003, U.S. companies like Disney, IBM, and VISA reaped the greatest benefits.

In 2006, as the PDA market crashed and Silicon Valley floundered, I proposed “satellite support” at the APEC summit. In 2007, Steve Jobs visited me in Santa Clara, and I shared the idea of a satellite-supported smart communication device—leading to the iPhone and immense American gains. Yet Taiwan remained humble, sticking to our principle of “earning just one NT dollar.”

Following Taiwan’s diplomatic isolation in 1971, our talents began to emigrate, or flee. To support industrial transformation, I created three factories super-fine wires, bias yokes, and insulating boards in 1972, which led to the founding of "Cheng Kuang Precision Industrial Co., Ltd." in 1974. When Premier Chiang Ching-Kuo visited our factory, he encouraged me to promote “People’s Diplomacy,” and I helped establish a sister-city relationship between San Jose, California and Tainan, Taiwan. During a visit to Silicon Valley, I met a struggling young entrepreneur—Steve Jobs—while I had already been called “Father of Taiwan’s Precision Industry” by President Chiang Ching-Kuo.

A few years ago, I visited you at 40 Wall Street and proposed “Invest in America” (IIA) and a “Technical Education System” (TES) to support MAGA. I emphasized that America's "buy where it's cheapest" model over the past 40 years had led to a loss of manufacturing capability. I proposed establishing 1–10 "Economy Institutes" (EI) per state to train local SMEs and restore a production-based economy— echoing President Reagan’s belief: “If America wants to be strong, manufacturing must thrive.”

On March 3rd, TSMC announced at the White House an additional investment of $100 billion, totaling $165 billion. This caused panic in Taiwan. People began to say: “What Taiwan cultivated over decades isn’t a mountain or a shield—it’s a sheep with legs.” They fear Taiwan’s strength is being relocated.

Former President Lee Teng-Hui told me: “President Chiang instructed me to upgrade industries. During my 12 years in office, TSMC struggled, but the government supported them unconditionally.” We know that Morris Chang left Texas Instrument in 1983, but the IT industry underwent drastic changes in 1984, so that TSMC’s rise wasn’t due to American technology. It came from Taiwan’s public and private sectors support and the love of its people.

Your announcement on April 2nd of a 32% reciprocal tariff and 10% general tariff was like a “nuclear strike” to Taiwanese industries that operate on razor-thin margins. Taiwan is now reliving the crisis of 1972. Some people say they want to immigrate to New Zealand, where the business climate and reciprocal tariff 10% are more bearable, and they can make 22% as profit— (32% - 10% = 22%).

Taiwan has never sought to take advantage of the U.S. On the contrary, we have played an important role in strengthening American industry, ensuring global supply chain security, and promoting shared prosperity. Recent unfair rhetoric and policies risk undermining our relationship—one built on trust, respect, and shared democratic values. I’d like to ask you to understand the facts: “Taiwan is not a competitor to be punished, but a partner to be treasured.”

Mr. President, Taiwan is facing a crisis of “departure and disconnection.” For 60 years, I have always stood by America. Even in international forums, I continue to advocate for the "IIA-TES" initiative—because I truly believe: If America thrives, Taiwan will thrive.

I saw your email saying: “Peter Li-Chang, I need your advice!” So I must tell you that Taiwan can only withstand a reciprocal tariff of "10%"— like New Zealand. This would prevent industrial flight and supply chain breakdowns, and enable Taiwan to continue supporting America.

Respectfully submitted,

May God bless you,

Peter Li-Chang Kuo
Inventor and Social Entrepreneur

Peter Lichang Kuo, the author created Taiwan's Precision Industry in his early years. Peter was a representative of the APEC CEO Summit and an expert in the third sector. He advocated "anti-corruption (AC)/cashless/e-commerce (E-Com)/ICT/IPR/IIA-TES / Micro-Business (MB)…and etc." to win the international bills and regulations.