Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has denounced “rumours” regarding the dangers of investing in the island’s important semiconductor industry and stated that the government is making every effort to guarantee that such investments continue.
The world’s largest contract chipmaker, TSMC, is based in Taiwan, and it plays a significant role in supplying the semiconductors used in everything from automobiles and cell phones to fighter fighters. Additionally, it is a significant supplier to businesses like Apple Inc.
However, the Chinese Military’s intimidation of the island to underline Beijing’s sovereignty claims is making the semiconductor sector reevaluate the dangers of investment in Taiwan, particularly in light of Speaker of the US House Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei in August.
When Tsai met with Frederic Schneider-Maunoury, the chief operating officer of ASML Holding, she commended him for his dedication to investing in the island. ASML Holding is a significant equipment provider to chip manufacturers like TSMC.
According to remarks released by the presidential office late on Tuesday, Tsai stated, “At this moment when the world is paying attention to and is concerned about Taiwan, I am very grateful to ASML for investing in Taiwan with concrete actions.”
She continued, “I believe that this also discredits rumours of excessive speculation about Taiwan’s risk.”
This month, Rick Tsai, the CEO of Taiwan’s leading chip designer MediaTek Inc., told the media that US-China tensions are prompting some producers to discuss extending a portion of their supply chain outside of the island, although he noted that this was “incremental.”
The lithography technologies, which project light to form minuscule circuits on chips, are dominated by ASML on a global scale. ASML’s EUV equipment is used by TSMC to produce its most sophisticated processors.
A request for comment regarding the meeting was not immediately answered by ASML.
Tsai declared that investment in Taiwan was “definitely a very correct direction” and that the government will keep assisting.
“I also look forward to Taiwan’s continued deepening of cooperation with democratic allies to build a safer and more resilient global supply chain,” she continued.
Schneider-Maunoury reportedly told Tsai in a statement from the presidential office that the business would continue to boost its investments in Taiwan and pointed out that it now has five factories and employs more than 4,500 people there.
