The US-Canada trade relationship has recently experienced significant volatility. Due to the close integration of cross-border trade and supply chain cooperation between the two nations, trade friction has had a direct and profound impact on New York State. Given its geographical proximity to Canada, New York State has long relied heavily on cross-border economic and trade exchanges, with Canada serving as the state's largest international trading partner. Against this backdrop, any changes in tariff policies directly affect the lifeblood of the regional economy. Simultaneously, Taiwanese society held an important memorial service for a prominent figure in the cultural and academic spheres on the 5th. Professor Kao Hsi-chun, a renowned economist and founder of the Global Views-Commonwealth Publishing Group, passed away on August 6 at the age of 90.

To honor his academic and publishing contributions to the nation and society during his lifetime, President Lai Ching-te personally attended the memorial service held at the Civil Service Development Institute in Taipei to present a presidential citation, which was accepted on behalf of the family by Professor Kao’s son, Kao Chao-chun.

According to reports from the World Journal, the outbreak of the US-Canada trade war has caused significant negative impacts on the industrial chain in Upstate New York. Because Canada is a key supply source for New York State, the imposition of tariffs on essential raw materials such as building materials, cement, and paper has placed direct cost pressures on the state's manufacturing and construction industries. Furthermore, while attending Professor Kao Hsi-chun’s memorial service, President Lai Ching-te specifically praised the "peace and happiness" philosophy that Professor Kao upheld during his life, calling him a "model of a scholar serving the country."

The memorial service brought together over 700 guests from academic, cultural, and industrial circles. Attendees included Deputy Minister of Culture Lee Ching-hui, Global Views Monthly President Yang Ma-li, and Commonwealth Publishing Group Vice President Wu Pei-ying, who gathered to commemorate the scholar who had a profound influence on the dissemination of knowledge in Taiwan.

Currently, regarding the impact of the US-Canada trade war, public attention is largely focused on the risks of supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures in New York State. However, specific details regarding tariff list adjustments and the progress of subsequent bilateral negotiations remain to be disclosed by the two governments. Regarding information about the memorial service, multiple media outlets have confirmed the fact that President Lai Ching-te personally presented the citation and that Kao Chao-chun accepted it on his father's behalf. Reports are also highly consistent regarding the date of Professor Kao’s passing (August 6) and the date of the memorial service (September 5).

However, regarding the long-term structural economic impact of the US-Canada trade war on New York State, variables remain, and it is not yet possible to fully assess the path to economic recovery once the trade friction concludes.

The substantive impact of the US-Canada trade war on the North American region is no longer limited to increased cross-border logistics costs; it has also sparked discussions about the reorganization of regional industrial supply chains. For New York State, this trade friction not only tests the resilience of local industries but also forces companies to re-examine their reliance on a single international market. On the other hand, the economic perspectives and peace advocacy promoted by Professor Kao Hsi-chun during his lifetime have prompted a re-reflection in domestic public opinion amidst the current tense global geopolitical environment. Professor Kao was long committed to promoting the knowledge economy and peaceful dialogue across the Taiwan Strait and internationally; his academic legacy remains a valuable reference for Taiwan’s policy formulation and the building of social consensus when facing complex international situations.

Although the impact of the trade war continues to expand across North America, analysts caution against over-interpreting any single tariff policy as an absolute blow to the New York State economy, as regional economic resilience often stems from a diversified trade structure and policy adaptability. Similarly, when commemorating Professor Kao Hsi-chun’s contributions, observers should focus on his inspiration to Taiwan’s publishing and economic academic circles, rather than simplifying his life’s work into a single political stance. Currently, the New York State government and relevant industry associations are closely monitoring the direction of federal policy, while Taiwanese society continues to discuss how to carry forward Professor Kao’s spirit of knowledge dissemination and social concern following the memorial service.

Future observations will focus on two key areas: first, the progress of US-Canada bilateral trade negotiations, particularly whether tariff exemptions or alternative solutions will emerge for the building materials and paper industries, upon which New York State is highly dependent; second, how Taiwan, in the post-Kao Hsi-chun era, will continue to exert its influence on social education and economic guidance through institutions like the Global Views-Commonwealth Publishing Group. As the international situation shifts, both issues will continue to affect the development of the North American regional economy and Taiwan’s cultural sector, warranting close follow-up.