Half ladder industry: Taiwan wants to make chip supply chains safer

The East Asian island state of Taiwan relies on more cooperation for robust supply chains in the semiconductor area in the face of increasing geopolitical tensions. “Taiwan is a reliable partner, and with our technological basis and our cooperative spirit, we will work with democratic partners worldwide,” said President Lai Ching-Te before the semiconductor fair Semicon in the capital Taipei.

The rapid progress in artificial intelligence (AI) has also tightened global competition, said Lai. “No single country can master these challenges alone,” he emphasized. Lai referred to Taiwan’s growing presence in the high-tech industry and investments in the USA, Europe, Japan and Southeast Asia.

Close connections to Saxony

In Dresden, for example, Taiwan’s chip giant TSMC builds a semiconductor factory with Bosch, Infineon and NXP. The first European chip plant by the Taiwaner is also intended to make European supply chain more resistant. Because Taiwan, which is considered part of his territory by China, is due to an important seafar route. A conflict in the region would have a serious impact on global supply chains.

For Taiwan, Lai announced investments of more than $ 100 billion Taiwan dollars (around EUR 2.8 billion) to improve AI infrastructure. Taiwan wants to prioritize research in the areas of quantum computing or robotics, but also attract international companies that set up research and development centers on the independently ruled island.

The Semicon is an annual fair for semiconductor technology. This year, the organizers expect 1,200 companies from 56 countries. In the German pavilion, 18 companies exhibit their products from the areas of production, packaging, sustainability, precision sensors. The Saxon Economic Minister Dirk Panter (SPD) is also expected.