TAIPEI, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Taiwan only expects a small

impact from any tariffs imposed by the incoming government of

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on semiconductor exports given

their technological superiority, Economy Minister Kuo Jyh-huei

said on Friday.

Home to the world's largest contract chipmaker, Taiwan

Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. ( TSM ) , the

island is a key link in the global technology supply chain for

companies such as Apple ( AAPL ) and Nvidia ( NVDA ).

But Taiwanese policymakers have warned new U.S. tariffs

against all countries from the Trump administration could curb

economic growth this year for the export-dependent economy.

Trump has pledged a blanket tariff of 10% on global imports

into the United States and a far higher 60% tariff on Chinese

goods. In late November, he specifically pledged a 25% tariff on

imports from Canada and Mexico when he takes office on Jan. 20.

Asked at a news conference about the impact on Taiwan's

export orders of Trump's tariffs, Kuo said it would not much

affect the chip sector.

"For our semiconductors and advanced processes, there is an

advantage of technological leadership and that cannot be

replaced, and so the impact will be small," he added.

Taiwan will also help companies relocate supply chains to

the United States as needed, away from where there might be high

import tariffs, Kuo said.

"Now we see that we should be able to develop the aerospace

supply chain industry in the United States, and do some joining

up with the U.S. aerospace companies, so that some of Taiwan's

aerospace research and development centres can be moved to

there."

Taiwan will also set up an office in Japan in the first half

of this year to help Taiwanese businesses invest there, and

cooperate with the country on AI and drones, he added.