During a legislative interpellation on Oct. 7, Budget, Accounting and Statistics Minister Chu Tzer-ming caused a ruckus when he said a bowl of oyster noodles costs NT$20. On Oct. 8, he said he didn't hear the word "oyster" and only heard the word "noodles." Premier Su Tseng-chang, meanwhile, lauded Chu's professional abilities. In other news, Economic Affairs Minister Wang Mei-hu was asked about Taiwan's semiconductor companies' right after the US issued a request for sharing information on inventories. She said Taiwanese manufacturers are under no obligation to respond to the request if doing so would reveal confidential information.
Budget, Accounting, and Statistics Minister Chu Tzer-ming had a "Let them eat cake" moment during a legislative interpellation on Oct. 7 when he said a bowl of oyster noodles costs NT$20. The following morning, Chu claimed he didn't hear the word "oyster" and only heard the word "noodles." Premier Su Tseng-chang then decided to laud Chu's professional abilities.
Chu Tzer-ming, DGBAS Minister："I didn't hear the word "oyster." I thought it was only noodles. Thank you."
Su Tseng-chang, ROC Premier："The budget, accounting, and statistics minister clearly does not eat oyster noodles often, so he doesn't know how much a typical bowl costs. He may not know the little things, but fortunately, he knows a lot about big things. I will invite him out for a bowl of oyster noodles one of these days."
Meanwhile, Economic Affairs Minister Wang Mei-hua was asked if the ministry will protect the rights of Taiwan's semiconductor companies after the US issued a request for sharing information on inventories, demand, and delivery dynamics. Samsung and others were also included. Wang says Taiwanese manufacturers are under no obligation to respond to the request if doing so would reveal confidential information.
Wang Mei-hua, Economic Affairs Minister："The Americans are not targeting Taiwanese manufacturers. Manufacturers in South Korea and Germany are in the same situation. They also got this questionnaire. If manufacturers feel they are being asked to reveal trade secrets, they don't need to respond."
Su Tseng-chang, ROC Premier："Our communication with the US is great, and we understand this is not a move against Taiwan. It is also voluntary and no one is being forced to do anything."
Su also said the request is voluntary and the government will support manufacturers, while Wang said relevant information would be passed on to manufacturers.
疫情衝擊國內民生經濟，主管國內物價指數的主計長朱澤民7日在立法院備詢時稱，一碗蚵仔麵線只要20元，被批評吃米不知米價，8日一早朱澤民在立法院被問到時強調，當時沒聽到蚵仔，只聽到麵線。行政院長蘇貞昌也出面緩頰。
主計長 朱澤民表示：「我沒有聽到那個蚵仔的兩個字，我以為是只有麵線。謝謝。」
行政院長 蘇貞昌表示：「主計長一定是不常吃蚵仔麵線，所以對於單一品項的價格不清楚。幸好小事糊塗大事清楚，改天我會邀請他去吃蚵仔麵線看看。」
另外，車用晶片荒持續未解，美國商務部長要求台積電、南韓三星等半導體業者，提供供應鏈的相關數據，面對外界質疑，經濟部可能無法保障台灣廠商的權益，經濟部長王美花6日向美國在台協會處長孫曉雅會面表達關切後，再次說明，如果問卷涉及機密，不必填答。
經濟部長 王美花表示：「不是針對台灣的廠商，包括韓國甚至德國的廠商，都一樣都有收到這樣一個問卷。廠商如果認為是商業機密的部分，當然廠商也可以不用填答。」
行政院長 蘇貞昌表示：「我們和美國的溝通管道順暢，也了解這是對全球普遍性的，不是針對台灣，這也是自願性的沒有強迫。」
蘇貞昌強調，這是自願性的沒有強迫，會力挺相關產業。王美花也強調，有將訊息轉達給廠商，廠商對這樣的方式也比較放心。
