TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – In a response to the Trump administration’s 32% tariff, Taiwan will discuss with the US the possibility of reducing tariffs and of narrowing their scope, officials said Friday.

At a Friday afternoon news conference, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) announced NT$88 billion (US$2.66 billion) in aid for industry and agriculture, while also mentioning the unfairness of the US government’s tariff calculation methods.

Top trade negotiator, Minister without Portfolio Yang Jen-ni (楊珍妮), said Taiwan would emphasize how trade between the two countries was complementary, per CNA. Trade deficit problems should be solved by more investment in the US, the purchase of raw materials, including trips by Taiwan’s agricultural sector to buy US farm products, she said.

Talks should also remind the US that it enjoyed a trade surplus for agriculture products with Taiwan, while the sector was vital to the country’s food security.

Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) was in charge of the government’s Taiwan-US trade taskforce, while a number of channels would be used to collect professional advice.

As to the aid package for industry and agriculture, measures included financial assistance, lower administrative expenses, boosting competitiveness, developing new markets, tax benefits, and the stabilization of employment.