Redefining security in a hostile world
As big powers grow aggressive, Taiwan and Ukraine find defense can be more than bombs and bullets
Semiconductor chips are seen on a printed circuit board.
Reuters
Last week, Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy diverged 鈥� publicly and dramatically 鈥� on America鈥檚 role in ensuring Ukraine鈥檚 sovereignty. This week, many nations that have looked to the United States for a level of protection are wondering if they might be next.
Perhaps nowhere are the changing calculations over global security more urgent than in Taiwan. China鈥檚 threat of invading the island state grows more menacing by the day.
Already, Taiwan鈥檚 strategy for dealing with Mr. Trump shows signs of shifting. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world鈥檚 top manufacturer of computer chips, plans to build more facilities in the U.S.
As President Trump alters America鈥檚 role in global security, could Taiwan be next? If so, it might be protected by a defense beyond bombs or bullets.
Clearly, Taiwan can see the way the wind is blowing. Mr. Trump saw peace in Ukraine as inextricably linked to his demand for a share of its rare minerals as payment for assistance. Taiwan鈥檚 greatest economic resource is its semiconductors. It produces some 90% of the world鈥檚 most advanced microchips. Without these chips, many aspects of modern life would grind to a near halt.
And therein lies Taiwan鈥檚 great power. Like many nations, Taiwan is ramping up defense spending amid rising uncertainties over security. But its best defense may lie in 鈥渨hat is sometimes known as its 鈥渟ilicon shield.鈥�
For Ukraine, its greatest weapons have been its ingenuity and courage. Its thriving tech culture has provided cybersecurity and a fleet of ingenious drones, while its spirit has struck a defiant note at home and on the battlefield.
The same is true in Taiwan. The silicon shield is not just an economic boon; it binds Taiwan to much of the world in mutual dependence and cooperation 鈥� even with China. Much of that comes from the values that drive TSMC 鈥� integrity, commitment, innovation, and trust from customers 鈥� values that the firm says account for its success.
Because of China鈥檚 attempts to isolate Taiwan, 鈥淲e don鈥檛 have so many countries who we consider friends,鈥� Cheng-Wen Wu, Taiwan鈥檚 science and technology minister, told the Financial Times. 鈥淏ut then, because of TSMC, Japan and Germany became more friendly to us.鈥� The same is true in the U.S., he added.
Mr. Trump once claimed Taiwan 鈥渢ook鈥� almost all of America鈥檚 chip industry. The reality is that 鈥淭aiwan simply outcompeted other countries,鈥� Raymond Kuo of the Rand Corp. told The Guardian.
Through innovation, Taiwan has built its strongest defense.