Taiwan's "key position" in making semiconductors will not be shaken and production on the island is the most efficient way of doing things, the Economy Ministry said on Friday in response to the US Congress passing a major new chips act.
The US House of Representatives passed the sweeping
legislation on Thursday to subsidise the domestic semiconductor industry as it
competes with Chinese and other foreign manufacturers.
Taiwan is a major chip producer, home to Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC), the world's largest contract
chipmaker, which is also investing $12 billion in a new plant in Arizona.
The Economy Ministry noted that it is "happy to
see" Taiwanese firms being able to access "resources on the
ground" when they operate around the world, and to establish good
relations in the US supply chain.
At the same time, Taiwan is an advanced global semiconductor
manufacturing centre with the most resilient and competitive production model,
it added.
"After 50 years of continuous innovation, investment
and generations of talent, our country's semiconductor manufacturing
efficiency, supply chain integrity and innovation energy have always been at
the world's top, and Taiwan's key position in semiconductors will not be shaken."
Taiwan has always been a partner of the world, as shown by
its efforts to alleviate auto chip supply chain problems, and the "made in
Taiwan" model of manufacturing semiconductors is the most efficient and
reliable way of doing things, it said.
"Whether in the past, present or future, Taiwan will
continue to play the role of an indispensable partner in the global supply
chain."
Taiwan has been keen to show the United States, its most
important international backer at a time of rising military tensions between
Taipei and Beijing, that it is a reliable friend as a global chip crunch
impacts auto production and consumer electronics.
But Taiwan's government is also determined to keep the
majority of advanced chip manufacturing at home.
China had lobbied against the US semiconductor bill, calling
it reminiscent of a "Cold War mentality" and "counter to the
common aspiration of people" in both countries. © Reuters