- Taiwan defends its semiconductor leadership, stating its success comes from decades of investment, not an industry takeover.
- Global semiconductor manufacturing relies on collaboration, with countries like Japan and the U.S. contributing specialized expertise.
- Taiwan commits to strengthening partnerships with democratic nations to ensure a stable and resilient chip supply chain.
Taiwan’s top technology official has dismissed concerns over the island’s dominance in semiconductor manufacturing, emphasizing that no single country should control the industry. His remarks come after former U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his stance on bringing chip production back to the United States.
Wu Cheng-wen, head of Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council, indirectly responded to Trump’s comments, highlighting that Taiwan’s success in the semiconductor sector results from long-term investment and expertise rather than an opportunistic takeover.
Decades of Development, Not an Industry Takeover
Wu emphasized that Taiwan’s semiconductor leadership was built through decades of strategic government planning, research investment, and industry collaboration. He pointed out that Taiwan started developing the sector in the 1970s, leading to the establishment of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) in 1987, which has since become the world’s largest contract chipmaker.
“This success didn’t come overnight, nor was it taken from other countries,” Wu stated. “Taiwan has spent nearly half a century building its semiconductor capabilities, making it an integral part of the global supply chain.”
Semiconductor Industry Thrives on Global Interdependence
Wu underscored the highly specialized nature of semiconductor manufacturing, which relies on contributions from multiple nations. He noted that Japan is a leader in chipmaking chemicals and manufacturing equipment, while the United States excels in chip design and software innovation. Given this interdependence, Wu argued that no single country can or should dominate the entire industry.
“The semiconductor industry is incredibly complex, requiring precise specialization and collaboration across nations. No single country can fully control or monopolize this technology,” Wu explained.
Taiwan’s Commitment to International Partnerships
Reaffirming Taiwan’s role as a key player in the global semiconductor ecosystem, Wu stressed that the country remains committed to working with “friendly democratic nations” to ensure a stable and resilient supply chain. Taiwan has partnered with other economies to strengthen the industry against geopolitical uncertainties and supply chain disruptions.
Wu’s remarks align with Taiwan’s ongoing efforts to expand semiconductor cooperation with nations like the United States, Japan, and the European Union. He reiterated that maintaining a diverse and interconnected supply chain is essential for technological advancement and economic stability.
