[News] Amid Potential Trump Tariffs, Taiwan’s NSTC Stresses U.S. Gains from Taiwan-Made Chips

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U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to introduce new tariffs on computer chips, which, if implemented, could have significant impacts for the global tech industry, according to The Washington Post. In response, Taiwan is assessing the potential impact on its semiconductor industry and developing strategic measures to mitigate risks, as reported by Liberty Times.

Taiwan’s Semiconductor Strategy Amid Tariff Concerns

Taiwan remains a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, as highlighted in the report from Liberty Times. While the U.S. considers imposing higher tariffs on chip imports, Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) has assessed the potential impact of U.S. tariffs and outlined key strategies to address the challenges.

First, the NSTC indicates that many Taiwan-made chips are not directly exported to the U.S. Instead, they are first shipped to other countries, assembled into consumer electronics, and then sent to the U.S. Furthermore, many of these chips are designed by American companies and manufactured by Taiwanese foundries. As a result, U.S. companies benefit from each chip produced in Taiwan. The NSTC emphasized that Taiwan and the U.S. are partners in the global technology supply chain, as noted by Liberty Times.

Strengthening Taiwan-U.S. Technological Cooperation

Despite these reassurances, the report from Liberty Times highlights that the potential tariffs could still impact Taiwan’s semiconductor industry. To address this challenge, the NSTC has been reinforcing Taiwan-U.S. research collaborations. Key initiatives already underway include joint projects in AI chips and next-generation semiconductor manufacturing technologies. These collaborations aim to deepen engagement with American academia and major multinational tech companies, ensuring that Taiwan remains a critical player in global semiconductor development.

Reducing Dependence on a Single Market

As indicated by Liberty Times, another key aspect of Taiwan’s strategy is to reduce reliance on any single market, including the U.S. The NSTC is actively expanding international cooperation in the semiconductor industry, fostering collaborations with Germany, France, and Spain. Additionally, Taiwan is strengthening technological exchanges and talent development programs with the EU, Japan, and other allied nations in the semiconductor sector.

Enhancing Technological Autonomy and Supply Chain Resilience

Domestically, Taiwan is also focusing on advancing its own technological capabilities and supply chain resilience, as the report from Liberty Times highlights. The NSTC has committed to supporting domestic semiconductor firms and research institutions in developing independent technologies. By reducing reliance on external technology and accelerating the development of high-end, critical semiconductor products, Taiwan aims to build an irreplaceable advantage in advanced chip manufacturing—making its products less susceptible to tariffs.

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