PHOTO: NYTIMES[WASHINGTON] The Trump administration is close to a trade deal with Taiwan that would lower American tariffs on goods from the self-governed island and significantly expand Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)’s planned investment in chip production on US soil, according to sources familiar with the matter. Trump would gain another investment pledge from a major overseas manufacturer, which he could tout as another win for his trade policy. Trump administration officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, had laid out their expectations for Taiwan to promise significant additional investments by TSMC in chip production on US soil. Any agreement with Taipei risks provoking China, which claims the island as part of its territory, a view Taiwan rejects. The Supreme Court is set to rule on the legality of Trump’s global tariffs as soon as Wednesday.

Source: International New York Times January 13, 2026 16:28 UTC