Taiwan Calls 20% U.S. Tariff Temporary, Sees Deal Within Reach

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said the 20% tariff now applied by the United States to many Taiwanese exports is only an interim measure and not the island’s target outcome in trade negotiations. Lai stressed that a concluding round of talks with Washington has yet to take place and that Taipei’s goal is an “appropriate” lower rate that protects the electronics-focused economy. Taiwan’s finance ministry added that it is preparing countermeasures while discussions continue on broader issues such as supply-chain cooperation and U.S. Section 232 national-security rules. Lai said it is too early to label the current arrangement a failure and affirmed Taiwan’s commitment to wrap up an agreement as quickly as possible. A U.S. official confirmed that the provisional levy is below the original 32% rate floated earlier this year and is significantly lower than duties faced by other trading partners still in talks, indicating Washington views Taipei’s offer favorably. A Taiwanese delegation remains in Washington to pursue a final accord that would deepen economic and defence collaboration between the two sides.