Taiwan’s top technology official has dismissed the notion that a single country should dominate the global semiconductor industry, emphasizing the need for international collaboration and specialization. The statement comes in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed criticism of Taiwan’s dominance in the chip sector and his calls to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States.
During a speech on Thursday, Trump reiterated his longstanding claim that Taiwan had “taken” the chip industry, asserting his desire to restore U.S. semiconductor production. This aligns with his broader economic policy of reducing dependence on foreign suppliers, particularly in critical technology sectors. However, Wu Tsung-tsong, Taiwan’s Minister of Science and Technology, pushed back against this narrative, highlighting the complexity of semiconductor manufacturing and the necessity of a globally integrated supply chain.
“There is no need for one country to control the semiconductor industry,” Wu stated. “This industry is highly sophisticated and requires a division of labor across multiple regions. Specialization and cooperation are key to its success.”
Taiwan is home to the world’s largest contract chip manufacturer, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which produces advanced semiconductors for global tech giants, including Apple, Nvidia, and AMD. While the U.S. and other nations are working to increase their domestic chip production, Taiwan remains at the center of the global supply chain, particularly in advanced chip fabrication.
Trump’s latest remarks reflect the growing geopolitical tensions surrounding semiconductors, which have become a focal point in the technological and economic rivalry between the U.S. and China. The U.S. government has been investing heavily in domestic chip manufacturing, with President Joe Biden signing the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022, allocating $52 billion to boost semiconductor production and innovation in the U.S.
Taiwan, however, maintains that semiconductor production is best handled through international cooperation rather than national monopolization. Wu’s comments underscore Taiwan’s commitment to maintaining its leadership in chip manufacturing while supporting a balanced global supply network.
With rising global demand for chips, many countries are working to strengthen their semiconductor industries. Yet, as Wu pointed out, no single nation can—or should—dominate an industry that thrives on specialization and shared expertise. Taiwan’s position remains firm: semiconductors are a global enterprise, and their future depends on collaboration, not control.
