Taiwan’s top trade negotiators touched down in Washington, DC, this week for their fourth round of talks with the Trump administration.
Vice Premier Cheng Li‑chiun and lead negotiator Yang Jen‑ni arrived in the U.S. capital, according to a person familiar with the discussions who spoke on Wednesday on condition of anonymity. They are here for the fourth round of tariff talks, aiming to work out a deal under President Donald Trump’s direction.
The source said exchanges so far have been “constructive,” but that the final decision on any tariff rate rests solely with Trump. Taiwan’s Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee declined to comment on the meetings, and Taiwan’s Liberty Times newspaper was first to report the delegation’s presence in Washington.
The talks follow President Trump’s recent tariff announcements affecting Taiwan’s neighbors. Japan now faces a 15 percent levy on its exports to the U.S., while goods from the Philippines carry a 19 percent duty. Investors have found some certainty in these rates after months of trade turmoil in the region.
Taiwan has grown ever more dependent on the U.S. market, running a trade surplus of roughly $65 billion with America last year. That figure owes much to strong demand for Taiwanese technology products, many of which are vital to artificial intelligence and data center operations worldwide.
In April, the U.S. imposed a 32 percent levy on various Taiwanese goods but later suspended the charges to allow space for negotiation. Washington has also weighed additional tariffs on the semiconductor sector, a move that could hit Taiwan especially hard given its role as a global chip‑making hub.
At the same time, U.S. and Chinese officials prepare to meet in Stockholm next week to extend a trade deal deadline, and the White House unveils new tariff plans with its Asian neighbors.
US and China officials to meet in Stockholm next week
Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that American and Chinese officials will meet in Stockholm next week to discuss extending the deadline for a broader trade agreement. The talks are set for Monday and Tuesday, focusing on ways to rebalance the two nations’ trade links.
Bessent spoke on the Fox Business Network program Mornings With Maria, saying he thought trade with China was “in a very good place.” He said the talks would focus on rebalancing the U.S.‑China trade relationship.
The Stockholm discussions follow Trump’s announcement of a 19 percent tariff on Philippine imports, coming after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the White House this week. In return, Manila agreed not to levy any duties on U.S. exports. Shortly after, Washington set the same 19 percent rate for Indonesia, down from an earlier 32 percent.
According to the White House, Indonesia has also agreed to drop both tariff and non‑tariff barriers on most American exports. These terms were released last week after talks at the White House with leaders from the Philippines and Indonesia. That agreement was reached last week, the administration said.
In a message on X, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson welcomed the talks in his country, calling them important for the world economy and saying it was “positive that both countries wish to meet in Sweden to seek mutual understanding.”
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