President Donald Trump and TSMC Chairman Wei Zhejia. Yonhap News 

The Donald Trump administration is negotiating new investments in semiconductors and other advanced industries in the U.S., as well as training for American workers, in ongoing tariff talks with Taiwan, Reuters reported on the 26th (local time), citing five sources.

The Trump administration is demanding investments in the U.S. from Taiwan, similar to how it secured $350 billion (approximately 510 trillion won) and $550 billion (approximately 800 trillion won) in investments from South Korea and Japan, respectively, in exchange for lowering tariff rates to 15%. The inclusion of training for U.S. workers is noteworthy, Reuters reported.

According to one source, Taiwan's investment in the U.S. will be smaller than that of major Asian competitors and will include Taiwan's support for the U.S. to build science parks utilizing Taiwan's know-how.

Taiwan has been developing advanced industries, including semiconductors, by establishing science parks that serve as semiconductor clusters.

However, officials added that all conditions could change before the negotiations are finalized.

In this regard, Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai told reporters in Taipei on the 26th that they are in the stage of exchanging documents to finalize details regarding tariff negotiations with the U.S., Reuters reported.

"It is very difficult for other countries to do this kind of work. Taiwan is the only one that possesses the concept, operating experience, and achievements of service parks, so it can promote such an initiative in the United States," he said.

Previously, C.C. Wei, CEO of Taiwan's TSMC, the world's largest contract chip manufacturer, stated in January that the construction of its new factory in Arizona was taking at least twice as long as it would in Taiwan due to a shortage of skilled workers and supply chain disruptions.

Yonhap News