TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan has pledged to buy more than NT$332 billion (US$10 billion) in US agricultural products over the next four years, as a trade delegation signed letters of intent in Washington and prepared to visit key farming states, including Florida.
Tariff negotiations between Taiwan and the US are ongoing, with attention on whether Taipei can secure a reduction in the current 20% provisional US tariffs. The “Taiwan Agricultural Trade Goodwill Mission,” led by Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季), on Wednesday signed three procurement letters of intent with American grain suppliers in Washington, DC, per CNA.
Chen said Taiwan is a reliable market for US farm exports, having imported NT$111.29 billion (US$3.7 billion) last year. “Today, we are taking our partnership to the next level. We are proud to sign letters of intent and announce our commitment to purchase more than US$10 billion in soybeans, corn, wheat, and beef over the next four years,” he said.
After the Washington visit, the delegation will split into three groups to meet officials, farmers, and exporters across eight states. The soybean and corn group will go to Arkansas, Ohio, and Indiana; the wheat group to South Dakota, Montana, and Idaho; and the beef group to Florida and Texas.
Chen told CNA that Taiwan sends a farm trade mission to the US every two years, typically purchasing around NT$57.16 billion (US$1.9 billion) annually. This year’s planned spending rises to NT$75.21 billion (US$2.5 billion), a 25% increase from the five-year average, following talks with industry partners.
He said imports of high-quality feedstock will improve Taiwan’s livestock production efficiency. Beyond trade, the mission aims to build long-term partnerships with the eight states visited.
Asked if larger purchases might support tariff talks, Chen said the expansion reflects industry demand, not government funding. He expressed hope that Taiwan’s steady purchases of US goods would help advance tariff discussions.
Taiwan’s representative to the US, Alexander Tah-ray Yui (俞大㵢), stressed food security given current cross-strait tensions. “Buying from a friend makes all the sense in the world — not only food, but also energy and other defense-related equipment,” he said.
He added that Taiwan’s imports will not only include food but also US energy, equipment, and defense-related materials. Attending lawmakers included Florida Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart and Senator Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch of Idaho later posted a photo with Chen on X, saying they had a good meeting. He praised Taiwan as a major buyer of Idaho farm products and said he was glad to discuss ways to strengthen both Taiwan’s food security and Idaho’s economy through expanded trade.
