Taiwan should only produce half of America’s chips, says U.S. Commerce Chief
A logo of Taiwan semiconductor production company (TSMC) on the smartphone screen
VCG | Visual Chinese Group | Getty Images
The Trump administration forces Taipei to shift the investment and chip production to the United States, so that half of America’s chips are produced at home with a movement that may have impact on Taiwan’s national defense.
Washington organized discussions about the “50-50” division in semiconductor production with Taipei, which will significantly reduce American addiction to Taiwan, US Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick told News Nation report Published at the weekend.
Taiwan is said to produce More than 90% of the world’s advanced semiconductorsAccording to Lutnick, the island is a source of concern because of its distance to the United States and its proximity to China.
“My goal and the purpose of this administration are to take the chip production significantly from it – we need to make our own chips.” He said. “The idea I have [Taiwan] It happened, let’s 50-50. We produce half and produce half. ”
Lutnick’s goal is to reach US President Donald Trump’s production of approximately 40% internal semiconductor production until the end of the current period, which will receive $ 500 billion in local investments.
Thanks to Taiwan’s castle for chipset production Taiwan SemiLetken Production Inc.The world’s largest and most advanced contract chipset is the world’s largest and most advanced contract manufacturer, which produces for heavy weights of American technology, such as Nvidia and Apple.
It is believed that Taiwan’s critical position in global chips production of the island country’s defense against direct military actions from China is often referred to as the theory of “Silicone Kalkan”.
However, in his interview with the news nation, Lutnick underestimated the “Silicone Shield” and argued that Taiwan would be safer with the production of a more balanced chip between the United States and Taiwan.
“My argument for them, if you have 95% [chip production]How do I get it to protect you? Are you going to put it on a plane? Are you going to put it on a boat? “Lutnick said.
In accordance with the 50-50 plan, the US would still be “basically dependent on Taiwan, but it would have the capacity to” do what we had to do if we need to do so.
Beijing sees the democratically ruled Taiwan Island as its own region and promised to take it back Forced if necessary. Taipei’s current ruling party rejected and returned to these claims.
This year, the Chinese army organized a series of large -scale exercises on the Taiwan coast while testing its military talents. During one of China’s military exercises in April, Washington confirmed his commitment to support Taiwan.
More in return for defense
Lutnick’s statements in the News Nation interview are compatible with Trump’s past comments, which The US should take more to defend the island nation against China.
Last year, the current candidate at the time, Trump, in an interview, accused Taiwan to pay the United States for defense and the country’s chip business for “stealing”.
The US was once the leader in the global semiconductor market, but he lost his market share due to the emergence of industrial shifts and Asian juggernauts such as TSMC and TSMC. Samsung.
However, Washington is trying to reverse this tendency in more than one administration.
Since 2020, TSMC has been building production facilities in the USA and continued to increase its investments in the country. CT announced In March, it brings more $ 100 billion to invest in their intention and planned total investment to $ 165 billion.
The Trump administration recently offered 100% tariffs for semiconductors, but said companies that invest in the US will be exempt. USA and Taiwan Stay in trade negotiations It is likely to affect tariff rates for Taiwan businesses.
