TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan may begin training American workers in semiconductor production and other tech-related industries, according to a Reuters report.

The Trump administration is negotiating a deal that could see Taiwanese companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation increase investment in the US and send teams to train American workers, Reuters cited five people familiar with the matter.

Details of the agreement were still unclear, the sources said. They advised that any terms could change before being finalized. "Until announced by President Trump, reporting about potential trade deals is speculation," Reuters quoted White House Spokesperson Kush Desai as saying. 

In a speech at a US-Saudi investment forum last week, Trump hinted at "a big plant with your friend from Taiwan, where we're going to have 40 or 50% of the computer chip business."

He added that: “People have to be taught this is something they’ve never done. But we’re not going to be successful if we don’t allow people that invest billions of dollars in plants and equipment to bring a lot of their people from their country to get that plant open, operating and working,” per PBS.

The development comes as Taiwan and the US are in the final stages of tariff negotiations. Chief Trade Negotiator Yang Chen-ni (楊珍妮) said the two sides are exchanging documents and that Taiwan is seeking the best possible terms. 

The Financial Times reported that Taiwan’s investment pledge would potentially be around NT$12.54 trillion (US$400 billion), and may include TSMC’s US$165 billion investment commitment in Arizona. Yang said that such reports are speculation and that details will be made public once the agreement is finalized.

The US placed a temporary 20% tariff on imported Taiwanese products effective Aug. 7, after lowering it from 32%.