Trump team negotiating trade deal with Taiwan that could help train US workers

26/11/2025 16:54

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is negotiating a deal that could commit Taiwan to fresh investment and training of U.S. workers in semiconductor manufacturing and other advanced industries, according to five people familiar with the matter.



Under the arrangement, Taiwanese companies including TSMC , the world's largest contract chipmaker, would send new capital and workers to expand their U.S. operations and train U.S. workers.



Taiwan's exports to the United States are currently subject to a 20% tariff, and Taipei has been in talks to reduce that figure as part of an overarching deal with Washington. Semiconductors, vital for all kinds of high-tech products, are currently exempt from tariffs while the U.S builds domestic capacity.



One of the people said the total U.S. investment to be pledged by Taiwan would be smaller than that of its main regional economic rivals, and would include support to help Washington build science park infrastructure drawing on Taiwanese know-how. The person and others spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.