TAIPEI, April 11 (Reuters) - Taiwan is to be included in

the first batch of trading partners to hold talks with the

United States, President Lai Ching-te said on Friday, vowing to

be ready for the discussions.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would

temporarily lower the hefty duties he had just imposed on dozens

of countries while further ramping up pressure on China. Taiwan,

a major semiconductor producer, was due to be hit with 32%

tariffs.

Countries around Asia have already said they have begun or

are preparing to begin talks with Washington over the tariffs,

and the White House has said nearly 70 countries have reached

out to begin negotiations.

"We are in the first batch of negotiations, and the

government will be well prepared," Lai told business leaders in

the central Taiwanese city of Taichung, in comments broadcast

live by local media, without offering a timeframe.

"Taiwan's desire to strengthen economic and trade

cooperation with the United States over the past years can be

(fulfilled) by taking this opportunity," he added.

The office of the United States Trade Representative did not

immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside of

office hours in Washington.

Lai on Sunday offered zero tariffs as a basis point for

talks with the United States, saying Taiwan would buy more from

and invest more in the country.

Taiwan, home to the world's largest contract chipmaker TSMC

, has long sought a free trade deal with the United

States.

The United States is Taiwan's most important international

backer and arms supplier, despite the absence of formal

diplomatic ties.

Taiwan faces increase military and political pressure from

its giant neighbour China, which views the democratically

governed island as its own territory. Taiwan's government

rejects those claims, saying only the island's people can decide

their future.