Taiwan Pres. Downplays Tariff Tensions 05/20 06:24

   

   TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- The Taiwanese president said Tuesday that trade 
tensions between the United States and Taiwan are just "frictions between 
friends" in a show of optimism as tariff negotiations are underway with 
Washington.

   U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 32% tariffs on all imports from Taiwan 
as part of sweeping duties levied against all U.S. trading partners last month.

   The tariffs on Taiwanese goods were subsequently lowered to 10% for 90 days 
to allow for trade negotiations. Officials from both sides held a first round 
of talks last month, to be followed by another one in the coming weeks.

   In a speech marking his first year as president and focusing on Taiwan's 
strategies to defuse the effects of U.S. tariffs and military threats from 
China, Lai Ching-te struck an accommodating tone despite the tariff pressure.

   The U.S. and Taiwan have long "cooperated and have also encouraged each 
other to grow," he said. "There are bound to be frictions between friends, but 
they can eventually be reconciled."

   "Even if there are differences of opinion, as long as there is a foundation 
of trust and sincere dialogue, they can understand each other better and deepen 
their friendship," he added.

   The U.S. has traditionally been Taiwan's strongest unofficial ally in the 
face of military threats by China, which considers the self-ruled island its 
own territory, to be retaken by force if necessary. Washington is bound by its 
own laws to provide Taipei with the means to defend itself.

   Lai said Taiwan would continue to strengthen its national defense 
capabilities, both through foreign military procurement and domestic arms 
development, and stand "shoulder to shoulder" with its allies "to exert 
deterrent power."

   "We will prepare adequately to avoid war and achieve the goal of peace," he 
said.

   He kept open the possibility of talks with Beijing, saying that "Taiwan is 
very willing to engage in exchanges and cooperation with China" as long as 
there is mutual respect and dignity.

   Taiwan's economy is supported by massive semiconductor firms that supply 
microchips globally as well as other electronics, advanced manufacturing and 
green tech makers.

   Lai said he would continue to encourage foreign investment in Taiwan, citing 
Monday's announcement by American technology company Nvidia about opening a new 
office in northern Taipei.

   Nvidia's Taiwan-born CEO Jensen Huang also announced his company would build 
an artificial intelligence supercomputer on the island in partnership with 
chipmaker TSMC, tech firm Foxconn and the Taiwanese government.

   He also backed increased investments by Taiwanese firms in the U.S.

   In March, TSMC responded to Trump's tariff threats by pledging a new $100 
billion investment in the U.S., in addition to earlier commitments to invest 
more than $65 billion in three factories in Arizona, one of which began 
production late last year.

   However, Lai's controversial proposal to completely remove tariffs on U.S. 
goods "on the basis of reciprocity," in addition to bumping up procurement of 
U.S. products, triggered protests last week by Taiwanese farmers.

   Lai opened his speech by offering his "deepest condolences" to the families 
of three people, including two 12-year-old girls, who were killed when a driver 
plowed through pedestrians in New Taipei City on Monday. He promised a speedy 
investigation into the tragedy that has shaken many on this self-governing 
island of 23 million people.