Taiwan, Cambodia Navigate U.S. Tariffs Amid Ongoing Trade Talks

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te described the trade tensions between Taiwan and the United States as 'frictions between friends' and expressed optimism about ongoing tariff negotiations, following the temporary reduction of U.S. tariffs on Taiwanese goods from 32% to 10%. Lai emphasized the longstanding cooperation between the two and the potential to resolve differences through trust and sincere dialogue, while reaffirming Taiwan's commitment to strengthening national defense and openness to dialogue with China under mutual respect. Taiwan's economy, supported by major semiconductor firms and advanced technology industries, aims to attract foreign investment, exemplified by Nvidia's recent expansion plans. Meanwhile, Cambodia is prioritizing diplomacy and trade talks in response to new U.S. tariffs, which include a 49% tariff on Cambodian goods, the highest in ASEAN, imposed due to Cambodia's trade surplus with the U.S. Cambodian officials emphasize the tariffs are based on trade deficits and are proactively negotiating while reducing their own customs duties to mitigate impact. Both Taiwan and Cambodia are engaging in diplomatic efforts to navigate the challenges posed by U.S. tariff policies amid broader geopolitical tensions.