Taiwan continues to ‘communicate closely’ on tariff talks with US

Taiwan continues to "communicate closely" with the United States on tariff talks, but cannot give more information at this point, the island's government said on Tuesday.

Taiwan, a semiconductor powerhouse that runs a large trade surplus with the U.S., had been due to be hit with a 32% U.S. import tax until President Donald Trump in April put all his "reciprocal tariffs" on pause for 90 days.

The Trump administration wants countries to provide their best offer on trade negotiations by Wednesday as officials seek to accelerate talks with multiple partners ahead of a self-imposed deadline in just five weeks, according to a draft letter to negotiating partners seen by Reuters.

"Taiwan and the United States have continued to communicate closely on tariff negotiations, but due to the tacit agreement between the two sides, it is not convenient to give more information publicly at this stage," Taiwan's cabinet said in comments sent to Reuters in response to the report.

"If there is any progress, it will be made known to the public in due course," it added, without giving details.

Taiwan's government said in early May that it had concluded its first round of "substantive" tariff talks with the United States, describing the atmosphere as frank and cordial.