Taiwan says tariff talks with US enter 'crucial moment'
"We are now entering a crucial moment -- like the final inning of a ball game," lead negotiator for Taiwan Cheng Li-chiun said on Sunday in a statement issued by the Cabinet, Focus Taiwan reported.
Cheng reiterated Taiwan's commitment to protecting national and industrial interests, while aiming to enhance trade and deepen ties with the US.
Cheng returned to Taiwan early Saturday after completing a third round of in-person tariff talks with US officials, according to the statement.
Both sides reached consensus on "several key topics," though no details were provided, and a fourth round of talks has been tentatively scheduled.
Trump had announced a 32 per cent blanket import tax on most Taiwanese goods in early April, along with similar measures targeting over 170 countries. Although he initially paused the duties for 90 days, the deadline was extended to Aug 1.
Earlier, Taiwan's leader Lai Ching-te said Taipei will not retaliate and instead increase imports from the US and boost investments there to help reduce the trade deficit.
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