TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan will continue to discuss tariffs with the US until the August 1 deadline, the government said Saturday after the return from Washington of its top tariff negotiator, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君).

She arrived back in the country early Saturday following a third round of talks July 8 with the Trump administration. The US announced a 32% tariff in April on imports from Taiwan before initiating a 90-day discussion period while a basic 10% tariff applied.

President Donald Trump announced tariff rates for several countries recently, but did not name Taiwan. The Cabinet said Saturday that preliminary arrangements for the next round of talks had already been made, per CNA.

Cheng said the discussions had entered a crucial phase, but that Taiwan would make an effort to wrap them up by August 1. Key concerns remained the same, namely safeguarding the interests of the country and its businesses, and protecting public health and food safety, she said.

Even if Taiwan received a letter from Trump mentioning a tariff rate, that would not be definitive as talks would continue, according to Cheng. She asked the public to give the government some more time in order to reach a consensus with the US.

The aim was to seek a way to balance trade, do away with past trade disputes, and improve the partnership, Cheng said.

During her delegation’s stay in Washington, they exchanged views with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the government said.