Taiwan hopeful after reprieve

Taiwan was one of the relatively few parties that’s been making steady progress in its negotiations with the United States. — Bloomberg

TAIPEI: Taiwan has indicated that it is cautiously optimistic about talks with the United States after avoiding a letter from the Trump administration notifying trading partners of new tariff rates.

It would have been more favourable not to receive one of the missives, and getting one suggests a more difficult position in the talks, said a national security official in Taipei, who asked not to be identified discussing the sensitive matter.