(Jan 13): The Trump administration is close to a trade deal with Taiwan that would lower American tariffs on goods from the self-governed island and significantly expand Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s (TSMC) planned investment in chip production on US soil, according to people familiar with the matter. That level would put the Taiwan shipments on par with those from Japan and South Korea, which reached their own agreements last year. A signed pact would culminate months of talks between President Donald Trump’s team and the Taiwanese government, which has repeatedly said a deal was close. Trump would gain another investment pledge from a major overseas manufacturer, which he could tout as another win for his trade policy. Any agreement with Taipei risks provoking China, which claims the island as part of its territory — a view Taiwan rejects.

Source: The Edge Markets January 13, 2026 02:07 UTC