Taiwan Holds First Tariff Talks with United States

Taiwan officials held their first tariff talks with US officials on Friday, with both sides looking forward to further discussions soon, the island’s government said on Saturday.

While Taiwan, a major semiconductor producer facing tariffs of 32%, complained they were unfair, it moved quickly to lay out proposals with the United States, offering a zero-tariff regime and greater purchases and investments in the country.

In a statement, Taiwan’s Office of Trade Negotiations said its officials held a video conference with US officials whom it did not identify.

The talks focused on reciprocal tariffs between Taiwan and the United States, non-tariff barriers to trade, and a number of other economic and trade issues, including export controls, it added.

“Both sides look forward to conducting follow-up consultations … in the near future and jointly building a strong and stable economic and trade relationship between Taiwan and the United States,” it said.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside of Washington work hours.