Economy Minister Kuo Jyh-huei said on Saturday that Taiwan has sent officials to Washington to discuss potential U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump and has prepared in case they are implemented.
After accusing Taiwan of stealing American semiconductor business during last year’s campaign, tech companies in Taiwan, home to the largest contract chipmaker in the world, TSMC (2330.TW), open a new tab, and confront the prospect that Trump may follow through on his promises to impose taxes on imported chips.
Trump said on Friday he plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on many economies by Monday or Tuesday, a major escalation of his offensive to reshape global trade relationships in ways he considers to be in America’s favour.
Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Kuo said the ministry has made preparations for any U.S. tariffs, declining to give details.
Asked about chip tariffs, Kuo said he had dispatched a deputy minister and a deputy section chief to Washington. He did not identify them or offer further details.
They will “as much as possible give some rather good explanations to Trump’s people” about Taiwan’s chip industry, he added, without elaborating. “Taiwan is the United States’ best partner.”
Taiwan has repeatedly said its chip sector and U.S. companies have “win-win” cooperation., opens new tab
But Taiwan runs a large trade surplus with the United States, which surged 83% last year, with the island’s exports to the U.S. hitting a record $111.4 billion, driven by demand for high-tech products such as semiconductors.
Kuo suggested Taiwan could follow Japan’s example and import more U.S. energy.
“In reference to Japan, he has great determination when it comes to energy,” he said, referring to Trump. “We hope we can satisfy U.S. demands when it comes to this.”
Japan will soon begin importing a record amount of U.S. liquefied natural gas, Trump said on Friday after talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
