TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) urged President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Wednesday (March 5) to implement concrete measures to prevent industrial relocation and hollowing-out crises. Mayor Chiang's call to action came as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC, 台積電) announced a significant reinvestment in the U.S., sparking concerns about Taiwan's economic future.
TSMC plans to invest at least US$100 billion in the U.S. to build three wafer fabs and two advanced packaging plants. This expansion brings TSMC's total investment in the U.S. to US$165 billion. Chiang emphasized that the central government should clearly explain its role in this development to the public.
Recalling the past, Chiang highlighted how Li Kwoh-ting (李國鼎), then a minister without portfolio, invited Morris Chang (張忠謀) to return to Taiwan to lead Academia Sinica (中研院), which led to TSMC's establishment as Taiwan's "sacred mountain" (護國神山). This historical context underscores the importance of strategic government intervention in fostering domestic industries.
The investment plan's announcement at the White House by U.S. President Donald Trump and TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) underscores TSMC's significance in the U.S. market. However, this development also raises questions about Taiwan's industrial strategy and the government's approach to safeguarding its economic interests.