TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's industrial prowess rests on decades of cultivated work ethic rather than isolated technological secrets, Pegatron's (和碩) head declared Monday (March 17) amid growing anxiety over TSMC's (台積電) American expansion. Speaking at an industry forum in Taipei, the tech executive dismissed fears that Taiwan's semiconductor giant would compromise national competitiveness by establishing manufacturing facilities on U.S. soil, instead framing global expansion as a natural extension of Taiwan's industrial strength.
Pegatron Chairman Tung Tzu-hsien (童子賢) emphasized that Taiwan's global supply chain expansion should be viewed as projecting the nation's industrial capabilities rather than exposing proprietary knowledge to risk. The veteran industry leader also challenged the economic rationale behind former U.S. President Donald Trump's protectionist tariff strategy, noting its fundamental contradiction with worldwide efforts to reduce carbon emissions through optimized global manufacturing networks. Tung's assessment offers a counterpoint to growing concerns about Taiwan's competitive position as its flagship companies establish overseas operations.
The Pegatron chairman further questioned America's leverage in reshaping international manufacturing patterns, grounding his assessment in economic realities. With the United States representing just 26% of global GDP, nearly three-quarters of the world market remains beyond the reach of American trade policies, according to Tung's analysis. To illustrate this point, he referenced the electric vehicle sector's current landscape: of the 17.1 million units sold worldwide in 2024, American consumers purchased merely 1.3 million vehicles, leaving over 92% of market opportunities concentrated in other regions including the European Union, Japan, Australia, and China — territories where Taiwanese manufacturers maintain significant competitive advantages.