TAIPEI: Taiwan president Lai Ching-te has pledged to talk with the United States about president Donald Trump’s concerns over the chip industry and to increase US investment and buy more from the country, while also spending more on defence.
Trump spoke critically about Taiwan last Thursday, saying he aimed to restore US manufacturing of semiconductor chips and repeating claims about Taiwan having taken away the industry he wanted back in the United States.
Speaking to reporters after holding a meeting of the National Security Council at the presidential office, Lai said that the global semiconductor supply chain is an ecosystem in which the division of work among various countries is important.
“We of course are aware of President Trump’s concerns,” Lai said.
“Taiwan’s government will communicate and discuss with the semiconductor industry and come up with good strategies.
“Then we will come up with good proposals and engage in further discussions with the United States,” he added.
According to Lai, democratic countries including the United States should come together to build a global alliance for artificial intelligence chips and a “democratic supply chain” for advanced chips.
“While admittedly we have the advantage in semiconductors, we also see it as Taiwan’s responsibility to contribute to the prosperity of the international community.” — Reuters
