Taiwan-U.S. tariff talks enter 'crucial moment': Taiwan official

Taipei, July 12 (CNA) Talks between Taipei and Washington over "reciprocal tariffs" imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump are entering a "crucial moment," Taiwan's Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) said Saturday.

"We are now entering a crucial moment -- like the final inning of a ball game," Cheng, one of the key officials leading the Taiwanese negotiating team, was cited as saying in a news release issued by the Cabinet on Saturday evening.

The vice premier urged public patience, noting that the government is committed to concluding the negotiations before the latest deadline on Aug. 1.

She added that the government's principles of ensuring national and industrial interests, and protecting public health and food security remain firm, as it seeks pathways to promote balanced trade and a deeper partnership with the U.S.

Cheng returned to Taiwan from Washington early Saturday morning after concluding a third round of in-person tariff talks with American trade and commerce officials.

The statement said both sides reached consensus on "several key topics," without providing further details, and tentatively scheduled the next round of in-person talks.

A 32 percent blanket import tax on most Taiwanese goods entering the U.S. was announced by Trump in early April, with similar measures also targeting over 170 countries.

A week later, Trump paused the duties for 90 days, until July 9, and has since put the deadline back again to Aug. 1.

While more than a dozen countries, including Japan and South Korea, were notified of Washington's updated tariff rates against them earlier this week, Taiwan is still engaged in negotiations.