Richard Sanders
In a recent address, Trump, who identifies as a “tariff man,” committed to leveraging tariffs to address trade deficits and pressure partners like Canada and Mexico on issues such as drug trafficking. He criticized Taiwan’s tech industry, alleging it has taken from the U.S., and vowed to bring production back to America, suggesting substantial tariffs of “25, 50, or even 100 percent” on Taiwanese chipmakers to encourage them to invest in U.S. facilities.
Trump’s remarks coincide with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s significant $65 billion investment in Arizona, which marks a historic commitment to U.S. chipmaking. However, experts warn that imposing high tariffs could harm American tech companies and lead to a global tariff war, undermining relations with Taiwan during a critical juncture.
Taiwan’s officials emphasized the mutual benefits of its semiconductor industry with the U.S., while analysts expressed concerns over the potential impact of Trump’s comments on perceptions of U.S. reliability as an ally, particularly amidst rising tensions with China.
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