Taipei: Taiwan has successfully concluded "technical consultations" with the United States concerning tariffs and other trade matters, as announced by Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee during a news briefing in Taipei. Lee highlighted that both nations have reached a level of agreement on several issues, including tariffs, nontariff trade barriers, investment and procurement, supply chain resilience, and economic security.

According to Focus Taiwan, the spokesperson refrained from divulging further specifics about the negotiations but hinted at an upcoming joint statement, pending approval from U.S. President Donald Trump. During the talks, the Taiwanese government prioritized protecting national and industrial interests and ensuring food security and public health.

With President Trump's self-imposed August 1 deadline nearing, Taiwan is under pressure to finalize a trade agreement with Washington. The negotiations commenced following Trump's announcement of "reciprocal" tariffs on foreign countries in early April. Other nations, including Japan, South Korea, the European Union, and several Southeast Asian countries, have already established trade agreements with the U.S., agreeing to open their markets to more U.S. goods and committing to significant investments in exchange for tariffs ranging from 15 to 20 percent.

Initially, the U.S. imposed a 32 percent blanket tariff on most Taiwanese goods, with semiconductor products set aside for separate negotiations. In response to Trump's announcement targeting over 100 countries and regions with various tariff rates, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te expressed willingness to discuss "bilateral zero tariffs" with the U.S., though some agricultural industries voiced concerns about the potential impact on domestic producers.

Taipei has also conveyed its intention to increase purchases of American goods, enhance defense spending, and address issues highlighted by Washington related to transshipment and trade imbalances.