In a bid to quell concerns among the Taiwanese populace, President Lai Ching-te addressed anxieties surrounding Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) recent announcement of a staggering $100 billion investment in the United States. The investment, aimed at expanding operations in Arizona for manufacturing chips tailored for artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies, has sparked a debate back home about its implications.
Taiwan, a democratic island historically known for its semiconductor expertise, views this sector as a crucial economic asset, especially amidst looming threats from China, which claims the territory.
During a joint press conference in Taipei with TSMC's CEO C.C. Wei, Lai articulated that TSMC's planned expansion would ultimately strengthen both the company and Taiwan’s economic framework. He stated, “We have seen every time that with each initiative by TSMC, they have grown even stronger and more competitive, providing Taiwan’s businesses with opportunities for international cooperation and contributing to Taiwan’s greater strength.”
His remarks reflected an underlying optimism about collaboration between the U.S. and Taiwan, suggesting that this venture would only increase Taiwan's global presence while ensuring economic resilience.
Despite the fears surrounding potential brain-drain or loss of industry dominance, Lai maintained that Taiwan could confidently engage with the global market, emphasizing the positive outcomes of this significant investment.
