Taiwan says it can have negotiations with US any time on tariffs

TAIPEI: Taiwan can have negotiations with the United States at any time on the tariffs issue, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said on Tuesday, as the island's stock market pared losses having plummeted the previous day on trade fears.

Major semiconductor producer Taiwan, hit with a 32% duty, was singled out by U.S. President Donald Trump as among the U.S. trading partners with one of the highest trade surpluses with the country.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of parliament, Lin said that Taiwan is ready to talk about a variety of issues with the United States, including investment in and purchases from the country and non-tariff barriers.

"As long as there is a confirmed time and method for negotiations, they can be discussed at any time with the United States," he added.

Taiwan's benchmark stock index .TWII, which logged its worst fall ever on Monday, down almost 10%, made up some of those losses on Tuesday morning, falling around 3%.

Shares in TSMC 2330.TW, the world's largest contract chipmaker, also pared its losses, dropped around 1% on Tuesday morning.