TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Cabinet on Thursday rejected US President Donald Trump’s claims that Taiwan “stole” the semiconductor industry, saying the country’s globally leading chip sector was built through decades of independent research and development by domestic companies.
Trump again accused Taiwan of stealing the chip sector during an appearance on Fox News last week, per CNA. United Microelectronics Corporation founder Robert Tsao (曹興誠) said in a post on Wednesday that Trump’s remarks were completely wrong and urged the Cabinet to refute them.
Former DPP Legislator Lin Cho-shui (林濁水) also said Thursday that Taiwan should address the issue directly if Trump and President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) speak. “Frankly, it's unbelievable that both the government and TSMC have remained silent after Trump's constant accusations of chip theft, instead only repeatedly urging people not to lose faith in the US,” Lin said.
Cabinet Spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said that Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君), and Economics Minister Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫 have repeatedly stressed since last year that Taiwan’s semiconductor industry was built through the efforts of domestic companies, CNA reported. Lee said Taiwan achieved its leading position through years of hard work and accumulated expertise, with “no stealing involved.”
Lee added that Cho had previously said Taiwan’s chip industry would not have gained its global competitiveness and position if illegal means had been involved. She also noted that Cheng emphasized during tariff negotiations with the US over the past year that Taiwan’s semiconductor sector is the result of decades of development.
Lee said the government would continue communicating with the international community to address misunderstandings surrounding Taiwan’s chip industry.
