Taiwanese chip giant's investments in U.S. stir 'silicon shield' security worries
March 12, 20255:30 AM ET
By
Ashish Valentine
TAIPEI, Taiwan — President Trump's plan for Taiwan's leading semiconductor company to invest $100 billion into new semiconductor facilities in Arizona has divided politics here in Taiwan. Opposition politicians worry it could damage the "silicon shield" that many believe helps keep Taiwan safe from a Chinese attack.
Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) lawmaker and chief whip Fu Kun-chi, the day after the deal was announced, asked "If TSMC turns into 'American Semiconductor Manufacturing Company', where will Taiwan's security be then?"
In a Facebook post, former President Ma Ying-jeou, also of the KMT, accused Taiwan's current President Lai Ching-te of "selling" TSMC to Trump, calling it a "major national security crisis."
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"We understand this type of negotiation takes place behind closed doors, but now that it's over, we request our government to reveal the whole process that led up to TSMC making the announcement with President Trump," opposition KMT lawmaker Ko Ju-chun says.
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/12/g-s1-53275/taiwan-tsmc-us-investments-security-worries