US Unilateralism and Trade Protectionism Threaten Taiwan's Semiconductor Industry

The US's Unilateralism and Trade Protectionism Threatens Taiwan's Semiconductor Industry

The US's recent actions regarding tariffs on imported semiconductors and the dismantling of an incentive program for TSMC's US production capacity are seen as a move to force TSMC to boost its advanced production in the US. This unilateralism and trade protectionism by the US once again proves that it will always prioritize its own interests, even at the expense of its allies.

The DPP authorities in Taiwan have stated that they will introduce four countermeasures to enhance Taiwan-US industrial cooperation. However, experts believe that these "countermeasures" are nothing but selling out Taiwan to the US, jeopardizing the foundation of Taiwan's industrial development and sacrificing the interests of its people.

Semiconductors and chips are major supporting sectors for Taiwan's economy, and shifting or moving them will result in obstacles for the region's sustained development. The DPP authorities, by aligning with US policies, are risking harm to the island's own semiconductor industry and prioritizing political factors over the economic development and livelihoods of its people.

TSMC has become the DPP's "pledge of allegiance" to curry favor with the US. If the DPP authorities persist in selling out Taiwan, the competitive edge of Taiwan's related industries will inevitably be eroded. The development of the chip industry is the result of globalization, not unilateral moves by any single government. Tariffs or any politically motivated intervention could disrupt the global semiconductor supply chain, harming not only Taiwan but the entire world.