Taiwan is willing to buy more weapons, liquefied natural gas and agricultural products to reduce its US$73 billion trade deficit with the US, Representative to the US Alexander Yui (俞大?) said on Wednesday.
In an interview on Fox News’ Special Report program, Yui said that negotiations with the US on reducing tariffs on Taiwanese imports are “going well.”
Taiwan is ready to lower “reciprocal” tariffs, remove non-trade barriers and support increased investment by Taiwanese companies in the US, he said.
Responding to comments by US Admiral Samuel Paparo that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) increasingly aggressive actions near Taiwan are rehearsals, Yui said they were unannounced because the PLA considers the Taiwan Strait “its backyard, so they don’t need to let other people know.”
However, half of world trade moves through the Taiwan Strait and Chinese military activity in the region “does affect world trade,” he said.
While Taiwan wishes for peace, it must adopt a “peace through strength” mentality to prepare for the eventuality that the PLA might launch an assault in 2027, Yui said.
Commenting on possible US defense of Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, Yui said only that “it is our house, and we will try to put the fire out ourselves.”
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