Taiwan Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun, who is leading the tariff talks with Washington, told reporters upon getting back to the island that she had not discussed the 50-50 idea suggested by the U.S. during the talks.
“Our negotiating team has never made any commitment to a 50-50 split on chips. Rest assured, we did not discuss this issue during this round of talks, nor would we agree to such conditions,” she said, according to Taiwan’s official Central News Agency.
Shocked they didn’t want to gut their economy for vague assurances of unspecified protection. I really though that masterful negotiator and deal broker had them cornered. Next time he may need to throw in some shiny baubles.