TAIPEI, July 23 (Reuters) - Taiwan's government said on

Wednesday that a trade delegation led by the vice premier was in

Washington, D.C., for a new round of in-person negotiations with

U.S. officials this week.

U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed imposing tariffs

of as much as 32% on Taiwan. No new tariffs have yet been

announced for the democratically-governed island, although the

90-day pause on worldwide tariffs Trump proposed in April has

already expired.

The delegation, led by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun, seeks to

safeguard Taiwan's industrial interests, public health, and food

security, according to a cabinet statement. The talks aim to

promote balanced trade, and improve the overall economic and

trade framework between the two sides, it added.

"The team will continue working under the principles of

protecting Taiwan's industries and public welfare," the

statement said. "We hope to optimise the trade system and lay

the groundwork for a stronger partnership in the future."

The Taiwan talks come as trade negotiations in the region

accelerate. On Wednesday, the United States and Japan announced

a trade agreement that includes a 15% U.S. import tariff on all

Japanese goods, lower than the 25% Washington had proposed

previously.

The Japan deal is seen as one of the most significant among

several agreements reached ahead of the August 1 tariff deadline

the White House set after the original 90-day deadline expired

with only a few successfully negotiated agreements.

Taiwan has been seeking to strengthen its trade ties with

major partners, particularly the U.S., Taiwan's second-largest

trading partner after China, amid growing geopolitical and

economic challenges.

The outcome of the negotiations could play a key role in

shaping the island's future trade strategy and its position in

the global supply chain, and is crucial to Taiwan's

export-driven economy.