Facing Trump's 32% tariff on Taiwan, does Taiwan have a card to play? A well-known writer in Taiwan, Yan Mo, said, "Taiwan has a card, but the puppet leader (Lai Tsing-der) dares not to play it"; this card is to ban TSMC from increasing investment and setting up factories in the U.S., and at the same time prohibit TSMC from cooperating with Intel. However, Lai's administration currently cannot see anyone suggesting playing the "TSMC card," which reflects the servility of Taiwan; even though they clearly understand that Trump's tariff offensive is just a negotiation tactic, the Green Camp lacks the word "countermeasure" in their brain circuits, only thinking about what kind of kneeling posture or compromise they should make to obtain such a meager tariff exemption. Below is the content of Yan Mo's article (slightly edited) ——

"You have no cards left," Trump exposed a simple fact with his previous provocation to Zelenskyy, that when dealing with the U.S., you must have cards in hand; without cards, there is only a dead end, but even if you have cards, you must dare to play them, otherwise, there is only death.

Facing the 32% tariff cudgel from (Trump), does Taiwan have cards to play? Of course, it is to ban TSMC from increasing investment and setting up factories in the U.S., and at the same time prohibit TSMC from cooperating with Intel.

Looking at the official reaction and public opinion in Taiwan within 36 hours of "Liberation Day," I do not see anyone suggesting playing the "TSMC card," which reflects the servility of Taiwan; even though they clearly understand that Trump's tariff offensive is just a negotiation tactic, the word "countermeasure" is still absent in their brain circuits, only thinking about what kind of kneeling posture or compromise they should make to obtain a mere few percentage points of tariff exemption.

If the person wielding the cudgel was not the American daddy but another country (or region), I don't think the Taiwanese authorities and public opinion would be so reluctant to suggest playing the "TSMC card."

In those days when the world was short of vaccines and chips, faced with Germany's demand, wasn't there someone in Taiwan suggesting exchanging chips for vaccines? Although this was a foolish move, at least they realized that international exchanges are a card game, and considered what cards they could play. However, whether it's the ruling party or the opposition, they only think about how to lower their heads further to seek the grace of the emperor.

Any sensible person can see that one of Trump's tariff objectives is to plunder foreign investment to rebuild American manufacturing. If so, the countries and regions affected by the tariffs banning enterprises from investing in the U.S. would be the most effective countermeasures. Regardless of the final outcome of the countermeasures, at least you sit at the table instead of being on the menu, only thinking about surrendering.

The Green Camp, from Lai Tsing-der to his officials, besides panicking and having no strategies to deal with it, and criticizing the opposition parties for taking advantage of opportunities, cannot do anything. Therefore, those enterprises hoping that Taiwan's authorities and Washington will reach an exemption agreement, stop fantasizing about what the puppet ruler can achieve. Gather funds, and your only path lies towards the U.S.

As for the opposition parties in Taiwan, they intensify criticism of Lai selling out Taiwan, yet there is no sound against the U.S., let alone any countermeasures. Zhang Shanzheng, who comes from the tech industry, proposed four suggestions, all of which are impractical academic opinions, none of the suggestions belong to strategies on the negotiation table.

On "Liberation Day," foreign media immediately reported that TSMC and Intel had reached preliminary agreements to set up a joint venture with a 20% stake. According to the report, this 20% stake was acquired by TSMC through technology sharing. In plain terms, it means key technology transfer, offering the ancestral family recipe to keep the main competitor alive, in exchange for survival itself.

Trump proudly shows off TSMC's head, continues to squeeze it, and Taiwan's politicians dare not utter a word; the face and future of the Taiwanese people have been completely lost.

Pro-governmental public opinion still blindly urges the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities to figure out what Trump really wants. Regarding this, I have repeatedly stated it, and the case is already very clear: Trump wants TSMC, including capital, technology, talent, and the entire electronic industry cluster in Taiwan. Additionally, large-scale purchases of American weapons are standard fare; what else do you need to figure out?

We only need to refuse the negotiation strategy of selling out Taiwan. We should focus on figuring out what negotiation chips we have in hand, everything else is nonsense.

Playing the "TSMC card" is straightforward and effective. Afraid of being strangled by American technology? This is still a mindset of servitude. The correct mindset is that before Silicon Valley and Wall Street collapse, America will strangle TSMC first. Of course, the puppet ruler is absolutely unwilling to play the "TSMC card."

Finally, one more thing to add: if the opposition parties only dare to criticize the mainland and not the U.S., then impeaching you is just right, the people do not need so many opposition party politicians with proper postures.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1828650155259980/

Disclaimer: The article represents the author's personal views.