Taiwan’s president has committed to increasing purchases of American goods—including oil and natural gas—as the self-governing island seeks stronger ties with the United States. The pledge comes amid tensions over a proposed 32 percent tariff, which remains on hold aside from a 10 percent baseline duty. Taiwan, aiming to deepen its U.S. relationship, is also considering additional imports such as agricultural products and defense equipment. The island nation says its broader goal is to promote more balanced bilateral trade with the U.S. while enhancing its own energy independence and resilience. Representative Bruce Westerman, chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, told Taiwanese officials that the United States is a major producer of food and fiber and is eager to partner with friendly nations. However, the Associated Press reports that the U.S. ran a trade deficit of $116.3 billion with Taiwan in 2024, highlighting the imbalance Washington hopes to address through expanded Taiwanese imports.
