Taiwan’s leading technology official has emphasized that the semiconductor industry thrives on global collaboration, pushing back against former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks suggesting Taiwan has monopolized chip manufacturing.

On Saturday, Wu Cheng-wen, head of Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council, underscored the importance of a globally integrated supply chain, stating that no single country should dominate semiconductor production.

Taiwan’s Semiconductor Leadership is Earned, Not Taken

Wu responded to Trump’s claims that Taiwan had “taken over” the semiconductor industry by highlighting Taiwan’s five-decade-long investment in chip manufacturing. He pointed to the government’s strategic initiatives since the 1970s, which laid the foundation for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), now the world’s largest contract chipmaker.

“Taiwan’s semiconductor success is the result of hard work, not something taken from other countries,” Wu wrote in a Facebook post.

A Shared Industry with Global Contributions

Wu emphasized that semiconductor production is highly complex and relies on international partnerships:

• Japan specializes in semiconductor chemicals and equipment.
• The United States leads in chip design and application.
• Taiwan is a manufacturing powerhouse with companies like TSMC.

“The semiconductor industry depends on global cooperation, not monopolization,” he stated.

Taiwan’s Role in the Democratic Supply Chain

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te reaffirmed the country’s commitment to being a trusted partner in the democratic semiconductor supply chain. Taiwan is ready to assist friendly democratic nations in developing their own capabilities within the global chip industry.

As competition over semiconductor technology heats up, Taiwan remains firm in its stance that collaboration—not protectionism—ensures industry growth and stability.