Taiwan sends officials to the US to discuss possible Trump Tariffs
Kuo Jyh Huei, the Economy Minister, said that Taiwan sent officials to Washington, D.C., to discuss potential U.S. Tariffs by President Donald Trump. The government has also made preparations in case they are imposed.
The possibility exists that Trump, who accused Taiwan of stealing American semiconductor business during his campaign last year, will actually follow through with his threats to impose tariffs on imported chip imports.
Trump announced on Friday that he will announce reciprocal tariffs against many countries by Monday or on Tuesday. This is a major step in his offensive to change global trade relations in ways he believes are in America's favor.
Kuo, speaking to reporters in Taipei and refusing to provide details, said that the Ministry has prepared for possible U.S. tariffs.
Kuo responded that a deputy minister, as well as a section chief deputy, had been sent to Washington in order to investigate the tariffs on chips. Kuo did not name them or provide any further information.
He added that they would "give as many good explanations as possible to Trump's people about Taiwan's semiconductor industry", without going into further detail. "Taiwan's the United States best partner."
Taiwan has said that its chip sector and U.S. firms have "win-win cooperation".
Taiwan has a large surplus in trade with the United States. Its exports of high-tech semiconductors and other products to the U.S. reached a record of $111.4 billion last year.
Kuo said Taiwan could import more U.S. power and follow Japan's lead.
He said that Trump was very determined when it came to energy in Japan. "We hope that we can meet the demands of the United States in this regard."
Trump announced on Friday that Japan would soon import a record amount liquefied gas from the United States. He made this announcement after a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Shiba.
Currently, the main LNG suppliers to Taiwan are Australia and Qatar. (Reporting and editing by William Mallard; Ben Blanchard)
(source: Reuters)
