Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te stated on Friday that Taiwan will be one of the first countries to negotiate tariffs with the United States.

"Taiwan is now included in the first list of negotiations," Lai told representatives and business leaders in Taichung. He added that the government will be fully prepared for the talks, protecting national interests and future developments of Taiwanese industries.

Lai described this opportunity as crucial to long-standing efforts to strengthen the country's economic and trade cooperation with the US. His remarks follow US President Donald Trump's announcement regarding a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs. As a leading world semiconductor producer, Taiwan was subject to 32% tariffs.