TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan entered the final phase of tariff negotiations with the United States, with officials targeting a preliminary consensus to enable a sixth round of talks by year's end, trade representative Yang Jen-ni (楊珍妮) announced Monday (Dec. 1). Yang briefed the Legislative Yuan's (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, Economic Committee (經濟委員會) on negotiation strategies, progress, and potential impacts on Taiwanese industries. The announcement marks the second consecutive month officials have declared negotiations in the final phase, underscoring the high political stakes as Taiwan approaches the 2026 election cycle.
The Office of Trade Negotiation (經貿談判辦公室) reported Deputy Premier Cheng Li-chun (鄭麗君) and Yang have led discussions with the U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. Department of Commerce since the U.S. announced reciprocal tariffs in early April. The talks focused on trade balance and supply chain cooperation. Yang confirmed the fifth round unfolded between late September and early October, with document exchanges addressing Section 232 tariff complexities.
Yang responded to Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨), Taiwan's main opposition party, Legislator Wang Hung-wei's (王鴻薇) inquiry by stating Taiwan aims to reduce tariff rates to 15 percent without stacking multiple tariffs. Yang explained internal simulations are underway to prepare for potential U.S. congressional rejection of negotiation outcomes. Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) emphasized efforts to persuade U.S. Congress, noting the negotiation team informed the U.S. of Taiwan's legislative review rights. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.4)