TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan and the United States continue intensive tariff negotiations, with developments suggesting productive ongoing dialogue. Deputy chief negotiator Yen Hui-hsin (顏慧欣) of Taiwan's Office of Trade Negotiations (行政院經貿談判辦公室) advised Monday (Aug. 4) that reporting to the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, should wait until negotiations reach clearer outcomes. Yen's comments respond to a Taiwan People's Party (民眾黨), a centrist political party, caucus proposal from July 22 demanding a special report on negotiation progress within one month.
Taiwan People's Party legislator Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) pressed for a special parliamentary report on Friday (Aug. 8) or Aug. 12, but Yen recommended waiting until negotiations conclude. Yen noted that the Aug. 7 tariff rate might not represent final terms, as discussions continue with positive American responses. Yen emphasized the binding confidentiality agreement signed under international diplomatic norms to prevent unnecessary bilateral disputes. This agreement, signed by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Taiwan's de facto embassy and America's unofficial diplomatic mission respectively, restricts sensitive proposal details to designated representatives.
The White House issued an executive order on July 31, Eastern Time, updating tax rates effective Thursday (Aug. 7), establishing Taiwan's tariff rate at 20%. Taiwan has expressed strong desire to discuss reciprocal tariff arrangements and the U.S. Trade Expansion Act Section 232 provisions during ongoing negotiations. American officials have demonstrated willingness to continue constructive dialogue on these critical trade issues affecting bilateral economic relations. ◼