Trump Makes Another Bid

Donald Trump once again praised C. C. Wei, chairman and chief executive officer of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, calling him “one of the most respected people in business.” With the $200 billion in investments Wei is bringing to the States, the U.S. will no longer have to depend on Taiwan for chips.*

Just half a month after this press conference with TSCM at the White House, Trump again helped TSCM increase the investment. It is hard for people not to wonder whether the “silicone shield” has become an ATM machine. In response, TSCM quietly responded that “all was according to the announcement.” The company is busy hosting the governor of Arizona, who is visiting Taiwan to poach talent working in the semiconductor supply chain.

After Wei left the White House, Trump mentioned “$200 billion” twice. Recently, news spread that TSCM might join with Nvidia and other companies to operate Intel, replacing its CEO. Subsequently, Arizona’s governor arrived in Taiwan, reaching out to TSCM suppliers. Trump’s chess game appears to be closing in. Industry analysts indicate that the $200 billion might be the range Trump set for this investment by TSCM. Trump is not merely aiming for TSCM but wants to extract the whole eco-industrial chain.

Those in the industry worry that if the semiconductor supply chain moves to the U.S., it will dilute profits, and the industry will be hit by an outflow of talent and money. However, the Democratic Progressive Party’s “green” media and the flank that is focused on examining Trump’s grammar when he ups the ante have clarified that he has no intention of “forgetting Taiwanese chips.” Even as Trump pressures the chip manufacturing industry to leave Taiwan and move to the U.S., Lai (William) Ching-te still insists on wearing the emperor’s new clothes and expanding eastward to the American continent.

Arizona’s governor — unlike Trump, who only has eyes for C. C. Wei — came to Taiwan to promote investment but did not forget to visit President Lai. Hopefully, William didn’t just care about being seen in the eyes of the world but remembered to fight for the best treatment for those setting up factories in the U.S. He cannot let them go for free.

The U.S. president is ruthlessly upping the ante, and the governor is striving to promote investment. As for Taiwan? People have seen the company that belonged to the minister of economic affairs piggyback onto TSCM and market itself to the world. What investments has the government promoted for Taiwan, though?

*Editor’s note: The investment figure cited by Trump may differ from the $100 billion amount TSMC announced earlier to expand its semiconductor manufacturing operations in the United States.