TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) Chair Mark Liu (劉德音) said that "pro-China" and "pro-US" labels limit progress in policy discussions. 

Liu flew from the US to speak at the first advisory meeting of the Cabinet’s Economic Development Commission in Taipei on Tuesday (Sept. 3). Liu, who served as TSMC chair for six years, said Taiwan could fall under the same trap as he witnessed in China and the US, where policy discussions were undercut by attaching labels to participants. 

Liu said participants were often categorized as either "pro-China" or "pro-US” in policy discussions, per CNA. He called the categorization “rigid” and “limited thinking” that hindered national economic progress. 

He said the two labels blocked "imagination" and "curiosity" among stakeholders. He also mentioned "pro-Trump" and "anti-Trump" standpoints in the US as an example of the way both groups can prioritize their agendas over the best interests of the economy. 

Considering Taiwan’s limited market size, Liu said companies must view the whole world as a potential market. He said Taiwan must avoid being restricted to the domestic market, which may help business leaders become wealthy but will hurt Taiwan's economy in the long term. 

In addition, Liu said Taiwan must focus its energy and resources on cultivating "ecosystems" for industries with a competitive advantage. Liu pointed to the acceleration seen in AI and said Taiwan's key industry will be decided on whether it can become an indispensable supplier to the global supply chain.

The Cabinet established the Economic Development Commission in July to form economic policies. Liu serves as one of its 60 advisors.