Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Dr. Lin Chia-Lung believes that his country will play a main role in semiconductors supply chains, explaining that the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war “pushed countries to speed up their efforts to build secure supply chains that are resistant to disruptions.”
In an interview to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said: “Taiwan and the United States share a complementary partnership in the high-tech sector. The US is a world technology leader and Taiwan is a global powerhouse in semiconductor manufacturing.”
“Taiwan’s comprehensive industrial capabilities and strong intellectual property protection measures make it an essential and trusted partner for the US in building resilient and strategic supply chains,” he added.
“In 2023, the US became the top destination for Taiwan’s overseas investment. Taiwanese investments have helped create job opportunities and made significant contributions to US manufacturing. In addition to TSMC’s investment, many other major Taiwanese businesses have expanded their presence in the US,” Lin said.
“President Lai Ching-te’s Taiwan plus-one-policy is a new industrial arrangement for Taiwan plus the US. This underscores the close economic ties between the two sides. The White House has recognized Taiwan’s commitment to expanding investment in the US,” he stressed.
“Taiwan will continue to work with the US and other like-minded countries through the initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships to build a more resilient and diversified supply network,” the minister went on to say.
Moreover, Lin said: “Taiwan plays a critical role in the global economy. It is the 21st-largest economy in the world. We produce 60 percent of the world’s semiconductors and up to 95 percent of the most advanced chips, making Taiwan a key link in global supply chains.”
“Taiwan’s industries have expanded all over the world. We continue to deploy our strengths, expertise, and services to create smart solutions that assist the development of our allies and foster mutually beneficial relations with like-minded countries,” he stated.
“During the pandemic, Taiwan put together a world-class national team to produce medical masks. Today, our national teams in semiconductors, medicine, and other industries help position Taiwan as a trustworthy and reliable partner. These national teams collectively form Team Taiwan. They show that Taiwan can play a meaningful leadership role on the international stage,” he noted.
On the new American tariffs, Lin said: “Taiwan has responded positively to the new tariff regime. We are on the US priority negotiations list. And we will implement countermeasures in response to the tariffs to secure our best interests.”
“President Lai swiftly announced a response package. He introduced the idea of a US investment team. The huge US market has advantages in technology, capital, and talent. We will draw on these strengths to form a Taiwan-US joint fleet that will create win-win outcomes for both countries,” he explained.
