TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) affirmed on Tuesday (March 4) that retaining Taiwan's semiconductor industry remains a policy priority, aligning the interests of both the government and industry leaders. He emphasized the government's commitment to safeguarding the competitiveness of the domestic semiconductor sector.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC, 台積電) Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) announced a substantial investment of at least US$100 billion in the U.S. to construct three wafer plants and two advanced packaging facilities. This decision has sparked varied opinions. Former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) urged President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) to protect TSMC, citing its strategic national security significance. He criticized recent political actions, such as the recall campaigns, as unproductive.
In response, Premier Cho highlighted the industrial shifts toward China during Ma's tenure, which he claims facilitated China's rapid development and unfair global trade practices. Cho emphasized that even if industries expand globally and set up operations overseas, the core of the semiconductor and high-tech industries will remain in Taiwan. This is a consensus between the industry and the government.
Legislator Ho Hsin-chun (何欣純) echoed Cho's sentiment and argued that former President Tsai Ing-wen and President Lai have been more protective of Taiwan's industries than Ma, extending their support beyond TSMC to small and medium enterprises.
