Taipei: Just two days after unveiling massive new investment plans in America alongside U.S. President Donald Trump, TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei joined President Lai Ching-te in Taipei on Thursday for another news conference. Wei did not make any business announcements for the world's largest contract chipmaker, however he did try to reassure skeptics that the company's continued development in Taiwan will not be impacted by its overseas expansion.

According to Focus Taiwan, Wei emphasized at the previously unannounced event at the Presidential Office that TSMC's plans in Taiwan will remain unaffected and will be accelerated. This statement follows his recent announcement in Washington, D.C. that TSMC would invest an additional US$100 billion in Arizona to build three advanced semiconductor foundries, two advanced packaging facilities, and an R and D center. This comes on top of the US$65 billion TSMC has already committed for three foundries, one of which has begun operations.

The U.S. investment announcement has sparked security concerns in Taiwan, as it may exempt TSMC from the tariff measures Trump has threatened to impose on Taiwan's chip industry. Legislator Wang Hung-wei from the main opposition Kuomintang urged the government to clarify if the pledged investment would shield Taiwan from trade wars and if Taiwan will be able to maintain its semiconductor edge once TSMC moves its most advanced processes to the U.S. Wei did not directly respond but noted that TSMC's production lines in Taiwan work in tandem with its R and D centers to develop and optimize advanced processes.

Lai mentioned that the Trump administration emphasizes the importance of cross-Taiwan Strait peace and stability. TSMC's expansions have strengthened the company and benefited Taiwan's chip industry while providing other suppliers with global market opportunities. Lai called TSMC's investment announcement at the White House "a historic moment in Taiwan-U.S. relations," pledging government support for the company's expansion efforts.

Following the press event, the KMT legislative caucus criticized the president for allowing a foreign government to undermine Taiwan's "silicon shield," warning that TSMC's decision to build advanced chip plants in the U.S. could lead to a mass exodus of Taiwan's high-tech supply chain and jeopardize the country's security.