In response to the US's equal tariff demands, the Executive Yuan announced today (May 3) that Taiwan has completed the first round of in-person negotiations on equal tariffs and related trade issues with the US. The atmosphere during the talks was candid and amicable, with both sides expressing a shared expectation to strengthen Taiwan-US economic cooperation.

The Taiwanese government delegation, led by Vice Premier Zheng Lijun and Chief Negotiator Yang Jennie from the Office of Trade Negotiations, concluded their first round of negotiations in Washington, D.C. on May 1, Eastern Time. During the discussions, both parties engaged in extensive talks regarding tariffs, non-tariff trade barriers, and various economic cooperation matters. The Executive Yuan indicated a desire to create more opportunities for both sides' industries and economic development based on mutual benefit and agreed to continue negotiations on various topics in the near future to actively seek consensus and explore deeper cooperation.

Vice Premier Zheng Lijun commented that the Taiwanese and US economies are highly complementary, and their close cooperation will help optimize each other's industrial systems and enhance global competitiveness. She believes that ongoing discussions between the two sides, characterized by openness and mutual understanding, will contribute to forming the greatest consensus.