Taipei fires back as Trump repeats chip theft claim

Trump’s renewed accusation of 'chip theft' by Taiwan reflects political scapegoating amid stalled U.S. semiconductor reshoring. Technically, it will inflate compliance costs for foundries like TSMC operating in the U.S. and force EDA/IP vendors to reassess technology transfers to Taiwan. Supply chains face heightened export controls on U.S.-origin equipment and materials, raising global fab capex by 5–8%. Japan and South Korea are accelerating domestic capabilities in advanced packaging and materials—Samsung may fast-track its 2nm GAA line to capture geopolitically neutral clients. Within 18 months, Washington could restrict non-U.S. engineers’ access to cutting-edge process development, fragmenting global R&D collaboration and delaying sub-3nm node timelines by 6–12 months. This isn’t competition—it’s techno-nationalism systematically overriding efficiency.