Following high US tariffs, much of Taiwan's semiconductor industry has begun exploring moving production to the US.
Taiwan's largest chipmaker took a step that sparked controversy around the world earlier this month by deciding to hold its first board meeting on U.S. soil, the South China Morning Post reported.
According to the report, the event was to be a symbolic move for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and a sign of the company's commitment to manufacturing microchips in the United States.
US President Donald Trump has targeted Taiwan's world-leading semiconductor manufacturers, complaining that "they took our chip business away from us" and warning that "we want that business back."
Trump has warned of imposing a 25 percent tariff on shipments of foreign-made semiconductors, and even higher duties if necessary, to force chipmakers to shift production to the United States.
That's why Taiwan, which has been targeted by the U.S. president for its dominance in global chip production, accounted for 2024 percent of the world's chip manufacturing, packaging and testing in 76,8, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Taiwan's trade surplus with the United States hit a record $64,8 billion last year, government data show, and the surplus is expected to grow as artificial intelligence drives demand for cutting-edge chips.
This year, the output value of Taiwan's locally produced semiconductors is estimated to reach $16,5 billion, up 183 percent year-on-year, according to the state-run Industrial Technology Research Institute.
