Analysis
Taiwan, led by TSMC (which controls ~53% of global foundry revenue as of 2023, per **TrendForce**), is indisputably central to semiconductor supply chains, making its stability a **legitimate economic *and* security concern** for global powers. Tsai’s emphasis on 'like-minded partners' aligns with documented collaborations, such as the **U.S.-Taiwan 21st-Century Trade Initiative (2022)** and **TSMC’s Arizona fab investments** (backed by the U.S. CHIPS Act), which explicitly aim to mitigate supply chain risks. The framing of semiconductors as a **dual economic/security issue** is consistent with statements from the **U.S. Department of Commerce**, **EU Chips Act**, and **Japan’s semiconductor strategy**, all of which treat Taiwan’s role as critical to global technological sovereignty.
Background
Taiwan produces over **60% of the world’s semiconductors** and nearly **90% of advanced chips** (≤7nm), per **SIA/Oxford Economics (2023)**. Geopolitical tensions—particularly U.S.-China rivalry and China’s claims over Taiwan—have elevated supply chain resilience to a **national security priority** for democracies. Tsai’s administration has actively positioned Taiwan as a **reliable partner** through initiatives like the **‘Democratic Resilience’ framework** and **TSMC’s overseas expansion**, reinforcing her statement’s claims.
Verdict summary
Tsai Ing-wen’s 2021 statement accurately reflects Taiwan’s dominant role in global semiconductor production and its strategic collaboration with partners like the U.S. to ensure supply chain resilience, as corroborated by industry data and geopolitical analyses.