Taiwan has finally succeeded in reaching a trade deal with the Trump administration in the United States. After the latest round of trade negotiations between the U.S. and Taiwan, the Lai administration announced that it had successfully lowered tariffs from 20 percent to 15 percent, which will not stack onto most-favored-nation rates.

Taiwan, for its part, would contribute "elite troops," and Washington might assign personnel in Guam or elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific region to help.

U.S. pressure on the Beijing-claimed island has grown after the opposition-controlled parliament blocked $40 billion in proposed extra defense spending.

The U.S. is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier in the face of increased pressure on the island from China, despite the absence ‍of formal diplomatic ties. The U.S.-Taiwan Economic ​Prosperity Partnership Dialogue first took place in November 2020.

The US and Taiwan agreed to a long-sought trade pact that would lower tariffs on goods from the self-governed island to 15% and see Taiwanese semiconductor companies increase financing for American operations by $500 billion.

TOKYO/BEIJING, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan's strategic alliance with the U.S. would collapse if Tokyo were to turn away from a conflict in Taiwan, but distanced herself from previous comments that suggested a possible military response in such an event.