TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) denied promising a 50-50 semiconductor sharing agreement with the United States after returning Wednesday (Oct. 1) from trade negotiations. Taiwan's deputy government leader, returning from discussions with U.S. officials in Washington, clarified her team never committed to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's proposal to split chip production equally between the two nations.
Cheng told reporters at Taoyuan International Airport (桃園國際機場) that her primary mission focused on negotiating reciprocal tariff reductions without increasing existing rates. She conducted detailed discussions with the U.S. Trade Representative and Department of Commerce, reporting significant progress. The Vice Premier emphasized ongoing negotiations regarding Taiwan-U.S. supply chain cooperation.
Cheng addressed the continuous expansion of items under U.S. Section 232 investigations, which examine whether imports threaten national security, expressing hope for comprehensive discussions on preferential treatments. She assured the public both sides will convene summary meetings to finalize a Taiwan-U.S. trade agreement once consensus emerges on tariffs, Section 232 preferences, and supply chain cooperation.
Cheng emphatically reassured Taiwanese citizens her delegation made no commitments regarding 50-50 chip sharing arrangements and avoided discussing the proposal entirely. She promised the Executive Yuan, Taiwan's cabinet, would promptly update the public on negotiation progress. The U.S. currently maintains a provisional 20% tariff on Taiwanese imports, with multiple in-person negotiation rounds following the initial virtual meeting Thursday (April 11). ◼
