US and Taiwan Explore Trade Deal to Boost Chip Jobs and Worker Training
GeokHub
Contributing Writer
WASHINGTON / TAIPEI, Nov. 26, 2025 — The Trump administration is in advanced discussions with Taiwan on a new trade and industrial cooperation deal that could reshape the U.S. semiconductor workforce and strengthen America’s technological independence. According to officials familiar with the talks, the proposed agreement includes plans for Taiwanese chipmakers to expand production inside the United States and train American workers in advanced semiconductor manufacturing.
Under the framework being negotiated, Taiwanese companies — led by major chip producers — would invest in factory development, engineering facilities, and science-park infrastructure across selected states. In exchange, the United States would consider tariff reductions for a range of Taiwanese industrial exports and deepen cooperation on strategic technologies.
One of the most significant components of the proposed deal is a large-scale training program. Taiwanese experts would train U.S. technicians and engineers in semiconductor processes, equipment operations, quality control, and advanced manufacturing methods. Officials say the initiative could support thousands of high-skilled jobs over the coming decade and help close America’s workforce gap in chip fabrication.
For the United States, the agreement aligns with long-term goals to expand domestic semiconductor capacity and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. The plan would accelerate efforts to bring more chip production onshore, strengthening national security and stabilizing supply during global disruptions.
For Taiwan, closer economic ties with Washington would reinforce its role as a critical global chip hub and ensure continued access to the U.S. market. Reduced tariffs and broader cooperation could boost Taiwan’s export economy, which remains heavily linked to high-tech manufacturing.
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While discussions are progressing, key elements — including the scale of Taiwanese investment, the number of factories involved, and the exact scope of worker-training programs — have not yet been finalized. Both sides are working to balance economic, political, and security considerations.
Analysts say the deal could become one of the most impactful U.S.–Taiwan economic arrangements in decades, potentially altering global semiconductor dynamics and introducing a new model of workforce-driven trade partnership.
