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Taiwan has proposed a zero tariff regime with US

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Taiwan ready for talks at any time, foreign minister says

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Taiwan stock market steadies after Monday's plummet

By Wen-Yee Lee and Faith Hung

TAIPEI, April 8 (Reuters) - Taiwan can have negotiations

with the United States at any time on the tariffs issue, Foreign

Minister Lin Chia-lung said on Tuesday, as the island's stock

market steadied having plummeted the previous day on trade

fears.

Major semiconductor producer Taiwan, hit with a 32% duty,

was singled out by U.S. President Donald Trump as among the U.S.

trading partners with one of the highest trade surpluses with

the country.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Sunday proposed a

zero-tariffs regime with the United States, and to invest more

in the country and remove trade barriers.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of parliament, Lin

said that Taiwan was ready to talk about a variety of issues

with the United States, including investment in and purchases

from the country and non-tariff barriers.

"As long as there is a confirmed time and method for

negotiations, they can be discussed at any time with the United

States," he added.

Premier Cho Jung-tai, also speaking at parliament, said

Taiwan was indeed one of those U.S. trading partners seeking

talks and the government would choose an appropriate time to

present Lai's plans to the United States.

Cho declined to give details of talks with the United

States, Taiwan's most important international backer despite the

lack of formal diplomatic ties.

"We definitely have a comprehensive plan, we have the right

people, and we will be able to go and have positive

negotiations," he added.

Taiwan's benchmark stock index, which logged its

worst fall ever on Monday, down almost 10%, fell another 4% on

Tuesday morning to its lowest level in 14 months. Shares in TSMC

, the world's largest contract chipmaker, dropped

around 3%.

While the selling pressure was unrelenting, Tuesday's losses

came as Asian stocks bounced off 1-1/2-year lows and U.S. stock

futures pointed higher, with markets catching their breath after

recent heavy selling on hopes that Washington might be willing

to negotiate some of its aggressive tariffs.

Taiwan has repeatedly said its large trade surplus with the

United States is due to soaring demand for tech, given its

companies are major suppliers to companies like Apple

and Nvidia.

In a statement on Tuesday, the American Chamber of Commerce

in Taiwan expressed its strong concern about the tariffs, and

called on Washington to exempt Taiwan from trade actions that

could "jeopardise the stability and trust underpinning the

U.S.-Taiwan relationship".