Taiwan’s top technology official has pushed back against claims that the island dominates the semiconductor industry, emphasizing the need for global collaboration and division of labor.
The remarks came after former U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated on Thursday that Taiwan had “taken” the industry and that he wanted chip manufacturing restored in the United States.
Wu Cheng-wen, head of Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council, responded in a Facebook post on Saturday, aligning with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s earlier comments that Taiwan remains a reliable partner in the global democratic supply chain. Wu emphasized that Taiwan’s semiconductor leadership was the result of decades of investment and development.
“How did we achieve this? Obviously, we did not gain this for no reason from other countries,” Wu wrote, referencing Taiwan’s 50-year journey in the sector, which included government support for the founding of TSMC in 1987. “This shows that Taiwan has invested half a century of hard work to achieve today’s success, and it certainly wasn’t something taken easily from other countries.”
Wu highlighted the interdependent nature of the semiconductor industry, noting that different countries specialize in distinct areas. “Japan leads in chemicals and equipment, while the United States is second to none in chip design and application of innovative systems,” he stated.
“The semiconductor industry is highly complex and requires precise specialization and division of labor,” Wu added. “Given that each country has its own unique industrial strengths, there is no need for a single nation to fully control or monopolize all technologies globally.”
Wu reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to working with democratic allies in the semiconductor supply chain. “Taiwan is willing to be used as a base to assist friendly democratic countries in playing their appropriate roles,” he said.
The remarks come amid growing U.S. efforts to bolster domestic chip production through the CHIPS and Science Act, which seeks to reduce reliance on Taiwan’s semiconductor industry amid geopolitical tensions.
