Taiwan said on Saturday that it ended the first span of real tariff negotiations in the United States, ending days of conversations that took place in Washington and focused on taxes, trade barriers, and other sticky issues maintained by both governments.
The negotiations ended Thursday. The statement from the office of Taiwan's trade negotiations described discussions as “Frank and Cordial,” along with both sides who agree to continue to talk.
The island, known for developing chips and sale more in the US than for its purchase, is about to be released to a 32% import tax from the Trump administration. But last month, President Donald Trump stopped all his “rewards tariffs” for 90 days.
That decision gave Taiwan some breathing room. In that window, Taiwan offered to raise all tariffs and start buying more goods in the US while also strengthening investments in the major sectors.
Both sides plan to proceed with conversations after Washington meetings
The conversations, which Taiwan called “substantive,” did not include a full list of who was sitting on the table on the American side, but both governments wanted to maintain momentum.
The trade office said both countries are “actively looking for consensus” and want to “explore further steps” that will strengthen their economic relations. The island wants more stability in the United States as pressure from China Builds.
The US does not have a formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but acts like an ally. It provides weapons, provides support, and responds quickly every time Beijing turns heat. On April 2, the US State Department said America continued to stand by Taiwan even though China continued to be massive military drills along the coast.
“In the face of China's threat tactics and conduct of conduct, the United States's strong commitment to our allies and partners, including Taiwan, continues,” said Tammy Bruce, a state department spokesman.
On the same day, the department has accused China of intensifying the region.
“China's aggressive military activity and rhetoric towards Taiwan only serve to worsen the tensions and put regional security and the development of the world,” the department's Says.
The department also warned that the US was “against any unilateral changes to the status quo, including by force or coercion.”
China holds drills while Taiwan destroys defense and trade
China's military has admitted that it runs on blockade drills and target attacks, saying that joint fighting systems are trying. Military experts say that only Beijing shows Taiwan what is capable of.
David Silbey, a military historian at Cornell University, Says The exercises are part of China's long -term approach to prepare for the war with Taiwan, if it comes. He said the drills were also acting as a warning, aimed at making the Taiwanese surrounded.
Taiwan president Lai Ching-te has not kept quiet. Last month, he called China “Foreign Hostile Forces” and rolled a new set of laws and economic tools to stop the Chinese infiltration of the island's institutions. His words did not notice. But instead of an instant response, Beijing is held in reaction.
Analysts in Eurasia Group believe that delays have nothing to do with diplomacy. They said China wanted to finish the two-week business summit in Beijing, where Chinese officials were hosting foreign CEOs. Making military drills while executives are in town is afraid of investing.
When the summit is over, the Army of People's Liberation returns to this routine. That shift was not noticed. Eurasian analysts have warned that China is less interested in cooling things, and the chances of a real crisis this year between China and Taiwan will climb.
China still said it included Taiwan. That claim has been for decades for decades. Taiwan does not agree and continues to work as its own government. However, China continues to repeat that it will restore the island in any way it is necessary, including and especially the use of the military forces.
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