U.S. and Taiwan Gear Up for Trade Talks Amidst Tariff Tensions

High-Level Discussions Planned as Taiwan Braces for Potential U.S. Tariffs

Taipei, April 11 - U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced he would be speaking with his Taiwanese counterpart later in the day, following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of "reciprocal tariffs" last week. The news broke during a Fox News Channel interview Friday morning in Washington.

Greer highlighted the scheduled discussion with Taiwan, along with ongoing dialogues with other nations impacted by the potential tariffs, after being asked about his international communications.

"Right after I'm done with this TV spot, I'm going to be speaking to my counterpart in Israel. Over the last two days, I had a long discussion with the Vietnamese. We are speaking with the Taiwanese later today," Greer stated in the interview.

Greer explained that he and his team are actively engaged in daily discussions with countries facing potential tariffs, exchanging proposals and documents aimed at resolving trade barriers and expanding market access for American companies.

President Trump imposed a 46 percent "reciprocal tariff" on Vietnamese exports, a 17 percent tariff on Israel, and a 32 percent tariff on Taiwan. However, a 90-day pause was announced before the tariffs on several countries take effect.

In response to the initial tariff announcement, the Taiwanese government has put forward several countermeasures, including a proposed NT$88 billion (US$2.72 billion) support package to assist local businesses over the next four years.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) informed machinery industry representatives in Taichung that Taiwan is among the first group of countries slated for tariff negotiations with the United States.

Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) will lead trade negotiations with the U.S. to address Washington's trade concerns, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) told lawmakers in Taipei.

It remains unspecified who will directly engage with Greer on behalf of Taiwan. However, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) mentioned that Taiwan's representative office in the U.S. has been leading talks with trade officials in Washington.

Lin added in Taipei that the negotiations have progressed positively, and Taiwan aims to finalize the trade discussions with the U.S. within the 90-day period.