by AFP Employees Writers
Taipei (AFP) Feb 9, 2026
Taiwan’s prime tariffs negotiator mentioned it could be “not possible” to shift 40 p.c of its semiconductor manufacturing capability to america as she rejected claims that the island’s chip trade would relocate.
Taiwan is a powerhouse in producing chips — a crucial part within the world economic system — however the White Home desires extra of the expertise made in America.
Washington agreed in a deal final month to decrease tariffs on the island’s items to fifteen p.c from 20 p.c, whereas Taiwan will improve its funding within the US.
US Commerce Secretary official Howard Lutnick mentioned final month that Washington wished to shift as much as 40 p.c of Taiwan’s chip provide chain and manufacturing to the US, warning tariffs might rise sharply if that didn’t occur.
That got here after he instructed US media in September that Taiwan’s chip manufacturing needs to be break up “50-50” with Washington.
However in an interview broadcast late Sunday by Taiwanese tv channel CTS, Vice Premier and lead negotiator Cheng Li-chiun mentioned she had made it clear to US officers that Taiwan’s semiconductor ecosystem wouldn’t be relocated.
Almost about “40 or 50 p.c of manufacturing capability (being) moved to america… I’ve made it very clear to the US facet that that is not possible,” Cheng mentioned.
She added that Taiwan’s semiconductor ecosystem was like an “iceberg”, the inspiration beneath the water is “monumental”, including that “an industrial ecosystem constructed up over many years can’t be relocated.”
She mentioned “it should solely proceed to develop bigger”.
Associated Hyperlinks
Pc Chip Structure, Know-how and Manufacture
Nano Know-how Information From SpaceMart.com
