Taiwan has sent officials to Washington to discuss possible U.S. tariffs by President Donald Trump, and has made preparations should they be imposed, Economy Minister Kuo Jyh-huei said on Saturday.

Taiwan’s government will soon look at whether it needs to help its domestic industry over threats by President Donald Trump to put tariffs on semiconductors, Premier Cho Jung-tai said on Wednesday.

Taiwan's exports rose more than expected in January thanks both to artificial intelligence demand and companies getting in orders before Donald Trump assumed office as U.S. president and began levying trade tariffs.

Taiwan's government has been swift to respond to the talk of huge tariffs by the recently inaugurated 47th president of the United States.

The chief executive of Taiwan's top chip design company MediaTek said on Friday that the company has been running simulations for possible U.S. tariffs on the island, but thinks for this year it would be "manageable".

The island computer chip and electronics components hub is vulnerable to new import duties, so its economy ministry will advise on possible U.S. states for investment, local laws and help finding partners.

President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Taiwan-made chips, which could hit Nvidia, one of TSMC's biggest customers.

Taiwan will support companies that plan to relocate to the United States, including helping them find partners, the economy ministry said on Monday, outlining assistance it will offer after U.S. President Donald Trump's new tariffs.

WASHINGTON >> President Donald Trump said today he plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on many countries next week, a major escalation of his trade war.