Taiwan eyes zero tariffs with US, pledges more investment
SUMMARY
On April 6, 2025, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te threw a bold offer on the table: zero tariffs to kick off trade talks with the U.S. This came days after President Donald Trump slapped sweeping import tariffs on Wednesday, hitting Taiwan with a 32% duty on its goods—though semiconductors, Taiwan’s big export, dodged the hit. Lai, speaking via video after huddling with small and medium-sized business execs at his residence, said Taiwan’s trade-heavy economy will feel the pinch but can keep the damage low. No retaliation here—Taiwan’s sticking to its U.S. investment plans, like TSMC’s massive $100 billion boost stateside last month. Lai’s pushing for more: electronics, comms, petrochemicals, and natural gas industries are next to pump cash into the U.S., alongside big agricultural, industrial, and energy buys. The defense ministry’s already got its weapons shopping list ready. Lai’s team will tackle old non-tariff barriers to smooth things out with the U.S.
