TAIPEI: Taiwanese chipmaking big TSMC’s plan to invest US$100 billion in the United States was a “historic second” for Taiwan-US ties, the island’s President Lai Ching-te mentioned on Thursday (Mar 6).
TSMC, the world’s largest chipmaker, introduced the plan this week after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on overseas-made chips.
It should take the entire quantity TSMC has pledged to put money into the US to US$165 billion, which the corporate mentioned was the “largest single international direct funding in US historical past”.
This was a “historic second for Taiwan-US relations”, Lai mentioned in a joint information convention with TSMC chairman and chief govt C.C. Wei on the Presidential Workplace.
It comes after Trump’s accusations that Taiwan stole the US chip trade and his threats to impose tariffs of as much as 100 per cent, in addition to Taipei’s guarantees to speculate extra within the US.
TSMC has lengthy confronted calls for to maneuver extra of its manufacturing away from Taiwan, with fears that provides of the crucial expertise may very well be disrupted in any battle with Beijing.
Trump just lately ratcheted up the strain on TSMC and different chip producers by publicly mulling the introduction of 25 per cent, or higher, tariffs on all chips made outdoors the US.
Talking on Thursday, Lai mentioned the federal government was not pressured by Washington “throughout TSMC’s US funding course of”.
Wei mentioned TSMC’s growth was pushed by rising demand from US shoppers and it might not have an effect on the corporate’s investments in Taiwan.
TSMC deliberate to construct 11 new manufacturing strains in Taiwan this 12 months to satisfy demand, Wei mentioned, including “our manufacturing capability will not be sufficient”.
“Every time TSMC makes a strategic transfer, TSMC turns into stronger and extra aggressive”, Lai mentioned.
“On the identical time, it additionally supplies Taiwanese enterprises with alternatives for worldwide cooperation and contributes to Taiwan’s higher energy.”
