TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Deputy Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) will fly to the United States on Tuesday (Feb. 10) evening, potentially to sign the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART). The Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet, has not denied this claim, fueling speculation about a significant trade agreement between Taiwan and the U.S.
Last month, Taiwan and the U.S. unveiled a tariff agreement that reduced Taiwan's reciprocal tariff to 15% without adding the Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate. The International Trade Administration (經濟部貿易署) stated on Monday (Feb. 9) that both nations are awaiting the signing of the ART. Upon completion, they will report the full content to the public and submit it to the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's legislature, for review.
Cheng plans to depart around 7 p.m. and is expected to finalize the ART. Following the signing, she will likely announce the agreement's details at a press conference after the Executive Yuan meeting on Thursday (Feb. 12). Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) has already reviewed the briefing content from relevant ministries and plans to hold a domestic press conference to explain the impact assessment and related support measures.
The ART will cover issues such as tariffs, non-tariff trade barriers, trade facilitation, economic security, labor protection, environmental protection, business opportunities, and two-way investment. Cheng will lead the negotiation team and consult with the United States Trade Representative (USTR). The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT, 美國在台協會) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO, 駐美台北經濟文化代表處) will sign the agreement once both parties confirm the agreement text.