TSMC, the world-leading chip maker, recently announced an additional $100 billion investment in the U.S. to expand its factories and boost research. However, rising pressure from the U.S. — even suggesting an eye-popping $200 billion — underscores a growing debate about the island's heavy dependency on semiconductors.
This bold move has lit a fuse in discussions over Taiwan's unbalanced economic model. With TSMC expected to consume nearly 10% of the island’s power generation in 2024 ⚡, critics warn that such a single-industry focus leaves other sectors, like manufacturing and agriculture, struggling to keep pace.
As Washington uses economic ties to tug and shape global strategies, the shift of critical investments to the U.S. risks hollowing out Taiwan’s local ecosystem. Once a pillar of cross-Strait technological collaboration, TSMC’s evolving path leaves many questioning whether the island can maintain its role as a vibrant bridge between cultures in a multipolar world.
This unfolding story is a wake-up call for young entrepreneurs, students, and culture enthusiasts alike: when geopolitics trumps balanced development, the consequences are felt far beyond boardrooms — impacting everyday lives in profound ways 🚀.
Reference(s):
Taiwan's semiconductor dependency a geopolitical cautionary tale
cgtn.com
