TAIPEI (Reuters) -A Taiwan trade delegation will continue talks with the United States on tariffs in Washington, four people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.
Goods sent from Taiwan to the U.S. were targeted for tariffs of 32% by U.S. President Donald Trump when he announced his so-called “reciprocal” tariffs in April, but he later declared a 90-day pause on the plan. Taiwan has been in tariff talks with Washington since the announcement.
“All the relevant talks are still ongoing,” one of the sources said. “The negotiation team is still in the U.S.,” said another source. The four sources declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.
In a statement responding to Reuters’ request for comment, the Taiwan cabinet said “the government has reiterated that we continue to negotiate based on two principles: deepening Taiwan-U.S. economic and trade relations, and mutual benefit and reciprocity.”
Taiwan has been seeking to strengthen its trade ties with major partners, particularly the U.S., Taiwan’s second-largest trading partner after China, amid growing geopolitical and economic challenges.
“We hope these negotiations will accomplish four objectives: safeguarding national interests, protecting industrial interests, ensuring public health, and securing food safety. These objectives serve dual purposes: promoting balanced bilateral trade between Taiwan and the U.S., and enhancing cooperation in diverse areas like technology and national security,” the cabinet statement added.
Taiwan’s government said last week that a trade delegation led by vice premier Cheng Li-chun was in Washington, D.C., for a new round of in-person negotiations with U.S. officials this week.
The outcome of the discussions could play a key role in shaping the island’s future trade strategy and its position in the global supply chain, and is crucial to Taiwan’s export-driven economy.
(Reporting by Jeanny Kao and Yimou Lee; Writing by Faith Hung; Editing by Tom Hogue and Kate Mayberry)
