Taiwanese media: US and Taiwan reach agreement on investment in exchange for tariffs, US announces tariff reduction to 15% for Taiwan.

According to a report from Taiwan's "Central News Agency" on January 15th, the United States announced a reduction of tariffs on Taiwan to 15%. Taiwanese chip companies will invest at least $250 billion in the United States to expand semiconductor production. The Taiwan authorities will also provide credit guarantees of at least $250 billion. The report stated that the U.S. Department of Commerce announced on the 15th that the "equivalent tariffs" for Taiwan will be reduced to 15%. Taiwanese semiconductor and technology companies will make direct investments of at least $250 billion to build and expand advanced semiconductor, energy, and artificial intelligence production and innovation capabilities in the United States. In addition, in terms of additional investments, the U.S. Department of Commerce pointed out that the Taiwan authorities will provide credit guarantees of at least $250 billion to promote further investment by Taiwanese companies and support the creation and expansion of a complete semiconductor supply chain and industrial ecosystem in the United States. In other words, Taiwanese companies will invest $250 billion, and the Taiwan authorities will provide a credit guarantee of $250 billion. After U.S. Commerce Secretary Lutnick and the Taiwan team concluded negotiations, he accepted an interview with the U.S. financial media Consumer News and Business Channel and said, "This is a down payment of $500 billion, used to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States." He stated that as long as Taiwanese semiconductor plants commit to building factories in the United States, they can import semiconductors duty-free during the construction period, "this is specifically designed for them." He also pointed out that chip companies headquartered in Taiwan but not building factories in the United States may face a 100% tariff. During President Trump's term, the goal was to relocate 40% of Taiwan's semiconductor supply chain to the United States. He also mentioned that TSMC has purchased new land and may expand in Arizona as part of the U.S.-Taiwan tariff agreement.