Taipei: Taiwan businesses have adjusted their supply chain strategies as trade negotiations continue between the United States and various other countries, while there is a risk that Taiwan could become a bargaining chip in the current China-U.S. talks, Taiwanese experts said Saturday.

According to Focus Taiwan, the discussion took place one month after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on "reciprocal" tariffs on most countries, with the exception of China. Experts in business and international relations gathered in Taipei to discuss the potential implications of this policy on Taiwan.

Owen Lin, a veteran journalist and expert on the semiconductor industry, highlighted the pressures faced by Taiwanese companies, particularly in high-tech sectors, to expand their manufacturing presence in the U.S. as part of Trump's strategy to boost domestic production. Lin cited a top manager at a major Taiwanese tech company, noting that these companies are likely to establish minimal operations in the U.S. to appease the American government.

In the case of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), Lin reported that the company plans a US$100 billion investment in the U.S. to build new fabrication and packaging plants in Arizona. However, he expressed skepticism over the completion timeline, citing "strategic ambiguity" from TSMC about the projects' completion within the next decade.

Stephen Tan, managing director of the International Policy Advisory Group, warned that the Taiwan issue might surface during the tariff talks between the U.S. and China. He referenced recent comments by Trump, suggesting a broader scope in negotiations beyond trade, touching on human rights and geopolitical issues. Tan emphasized the uncertainty of how the U.S. might respond if China raises the Taiwan issue, noting the flexibility both Trump and Xi might exhibit in the trade discussions.