Trump Team Negotiating Taiwan Trade Deal to Train U.S. Workers

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is negotiating a deal that could commit Taiwan to fresh investment in the United States and to training U.S. workers in semiconductor manufacturing and other advanced industries, according to five people familiar with the matter, Trevor Hunnicutt, Ben Blanchard, and Yimou Lee reported for Reuters.

Semiconductors, vital for many high-tech products, are currently exempt from tariffs while the U.S. builds domestic capacity. (Photo: TSMC)

Under the arrangement, Taiwanese companies — including TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker — would send new capital and personnel to expand their U.S. operations and train American workers.

Taiwan’s exports to the U.S. are currently subject to a 20% tariff, and Taipei has been in talks to reduce that figure as part of a broader deal with Washington.

Semiconductors, vital for many high-tech products, are currently exempt from tariffs while the U.S. builds domestic capacity.

One of the sources said the total U.S. investment to be pledged by Taiwan would be smaller than that of its main regional economic rivals and would include support to help Washington build science-park infrastructure drawing on Taiwanese expertise.

The person and others spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. South Korea and Japan have pledged $350 billion and $550 billion in U.S. investment, respectively, under deals to trim U.S. tariffs on most of their goods to 15% from 25%.