Taiwan says trade delegation in Washington for talks on potential tariff and trade deal
TAIPEI - Taiwan's government said on Wednesday that a trade delegation led by the vice premier was in Washington, D.C., for a new round of in-person negotiations with U.S. officials this week.
U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed imposing tariffs of as much as 32% on Taiwan. No new tariffs have yet been announced for the democratically-governed island, although the 90-day pause on worldwide tariffs Trump proposed in April has already expired.
The delegation, led by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun, seeks to safeguard Taiwan's industrial interests, public health, and food security, according to a cabinet statement. The talks aim to promote balanced trade, and improve the overall economic and trade framework between the two sides, it added.
"The team will continue working under the principles of protecting Taiwan's industries and public welfare,' the statement said. 'We hope to optimise the trade system and lay the groundwork for a stronger partnership in the future.'
The Taiwan talks come as trade negotiations in the region accelerate. On Wednesday, the United States and Japan announced a trade agreement that includes a 15% U.S. import tariff on all Japanese goods, lower than the 25% Washington had proposed previously.
The Japan deal is seen as one of the most significant among several agreements reached ahead of the August 1 tariff deadline the White House set after the original 90-day deadline expired with only a few successfully negotiated agreements.
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.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Singapore's domestic recycling rate drops to all-time low of 11%
Singapore Sota parent portal taken down for urgent patching following global cyberattack alerts
Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in
Singapore Local buyers are key to recovery of prime district condo market
Singapore New online channel for public to report illegal ride-hailing services
Singapore Ex-Tanjong Pagar United footballer charged with assault after Singapore Premier League match in Feb
Singapore COE prices for cars mostly unchanged; premium for commercial vehicles up 2.9%
Singapore Cyclist charged after allegedly hitting elderly pedestrian, killing him
The outcome of the negotiations 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. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
5 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Some key Brazilian exports spared from Trump's new 40% tariff
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Containers are seen at Rio de Janeiro's port, Brazil July 10, 2025. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares/File Photo U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday imposing a 40% tariff on Brazilian exports, bringing the country's total tariff amount to 50%. Some of Brazil's major exports, however, were exempted from the tax. Notable exemptions include products already covered by other specific tariffs, like passenger vehicles, iron and steel products, and a large number of parts and components used in civil aircraft. Below is a list of the products exempted from the tariff hike: PRODUCTS ALREADY SUBJECT TO PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED SECTORAL TARIFFS * Iron and steel (raw and derivatives) * Aluminum products (raw and derivatives) * Passenger vehicles (sedans, SUVs, minivans, etc.) and light trucks Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Water supply issues during Toa Payoh blaze affected firefighting operations; SCDF investigating Singapore 3 taken to hospital after fire in Marsiling flat Singapore School, parents on alert after vape peddlers approach primary school pupil Singapore Tampines, Toa Payoh BTO flats most popular among first-time home buyers in July HDB launch Sport Leon Marchand sets first world record at World Aquatics C'ships in Singapore Singapore Jail, fine for man linked to case involving 3 bank accounts that received over $680m in total Singapore Provision shop owner who raped 11-year-old gets more than 14 years' jail Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made * Parts for passenger vehicles and light trucks * Semi-finished and intensive copper derivative products AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PRODUCTS * Brazil nuts * Orange juice (frozen and not frozen) and orange pulp CIVIL AIRCRAFT, PARTS, AND COMPONENTS * Civil aircraft, including airplanes, helicopters, unmanned aircraft (drones), balloons, and gliders * Aircraft engines (piston, turbojets, turbopropellers) and their parts * New, retreaded, and used pneumatic tires for aircraft * Undercarriages and other aircraft parts * Aircraft seats * Navigational instruments, radios, and radar apparatus for aeronautical use * A wide range of other components specified for civil aircraft use ENERGY AND MINERAL PRODUCTS * Crude petroleum, various petroleum oils, and fuel products * Natural gas (liquefied and gaseous) * Coal and related products (lignite, peat, coke, tars) * Electrical energy * Iron ore and tin ores * Silicon metal and metallurgical grade alumina (aluminum oxide) * Crude mica and worked building stone METALS AND METAL PRODUCTS (GENERAL EXEMPTION) * Nonalloy and alloy pig iron * Ferroalloys, including ferronickel and ferroniobium * Tin waste, scrap, oxides, and chlorides PRECIOUS METALS * Silver bullion and dore * Gold bullion and dore WOOD AND PAPER PRODUCTS * Various types of chemical and semi-chemical wood pulp * Sawn or chipped tropical wood * Paper and paper pulp products CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS * Various mineral or chemical fertilizers * A specific list of industrial chemicals, including potassium hydroxide and certain chlorinated hydrocarbons OTHER GENERAL EXEMPTIONS * Donations intended to relieve human suffering (e.g., food, clothing, medicine) * Informational materials (e.g., publications, films, music, artworks) * Binder or baler twine made of sisal or agave fibers REUTERS
Straits Times
5 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Trump will meet South Korea's trade delegation, Seoul says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: The South Korean and American flags fly next to each other at Yongin, South Korea, August 23, 2016. Picture taken on August 23, 2016. Courtesy Ken Scar/U.S. Army/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo SEOUL - U.S. President Donald Trump will meet South Korea's trade delegation, South Korea's presidential office said on Thursday, as top officials from Seoul are in Washington to cut a last-minute deal on U.S. tariffs. South Korean Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol, Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo met U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Wednesday, according to the finance ministry. Industry and trade ministers have been in Washington since last week to reach a deal before August 1, a deadline set by Trump for 25% tariffs to kick in against South Korea, a major U.S. ally and powerhouse exporter of chips, cars and steel. Pressure has been mounting on South Korea since Japan clinched a deal to cut Trump's threatened tariffs to 15% earlier this month. Top business leaders were also reported to be flying in to help lobby for a deal on U.S. tariffs. The South Korean government is negotiating with the U.S. by setting up a package of trade and offers on industrial cooperation such as in shipbuilding, chips and batteries, officials say. REUTERS
Straits Times
35 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Trump administration to require states use terrorism funds for migrant arrests
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A resident enters a FEMA's improvised station to attend claims by local residents affected by floods following the passing of Hurricane Helene, in Marion, North Carolina, U.S., October 5, 2024. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo WASHINGTON - The Trump administration will require U.S. states to spend part of their federal terrorism prevention funds on helping the government arrest migrants, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said. The Tuesday announcement represents President Donald Trump's latest effort to apply federal funding for states to the arrest of migrants. Congress established the Homeland Security Grant Program before Trump took office to help states prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks. FEMA, overseen by the Homeland Security Department, has a mission of helping states address disasters. 'President Trump is keeping his promise to make and keep America safe," a spokesperson for U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in response to a question from Reuters on Wednesday about whether Congress intended the money be spent on arrest of migrants. States say they have used the money previously to buy security cameras, firefighting foam equipment and computers. All 50 states receive the funds annually. States must spend at least 10% of their funds from the Homeland Security Grant Program on enforcing immigration laws 'against all inadmissible and removable aliens,' according to the FEMA announcement. They can use it for tasks in support of Trump's executive order on immigration, including to construct detention facilities or set up partnerships between police officers and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, FEMA said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Water supply issues during Toa Payoh blaze affected firefighting operations; SCDF investigating Singapore 3 taken to hospital after fire in Marsiling flat Singapore School, parents on alert after vape peddlers approach primary school pupil Singapore Tampines, Toa Payoh BTO flats most popular among first-time home buyers in July HDB launch Sport Leon Marchand sets first world record at World Aquatics C'ships in Singapore Singapore Jail, fine for man linked to case involving 3 bank accounts that received over $680m in total Singapore Provision shop owner who raped 11-year-old gets more than 14 years' jail Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made It said states have until August 11 to apply for their portion of $373.3 million. REUTERS
