Taiwan to be one of first to talk tariffs with US, president says

TAIPEI: Taiwan is to be included in the first batch of trading partners to hold talks with the United States, President Lai Ching-te said on Friday (Apr 11), vowing to be ready for the discussions.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would temporarily lower the hefty duties he had just imposed on dozens of countries while further ramping up pressure on China. Taiwan, a major semiconductor producer, was due to be hit with 32 per cent tariffs.

Countries around Asia have already said they have begun or are preparing to begin talks with Washington over the tariffs, and the White House has said nearly 70 countries have reached out to begin negotiations.

“We are in the first batch of negotiations, and the government will be well prepared,” Lai told business leaders in the central Taiwanese city of Taichung, in comments broadcast live by local media, without offering a timeframe.

“Taiwan’s desire to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with the United States over the past years can be (fulfilled) by taking this opportunity,” he added.

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