Lin Chia-lung has personally contributed an op-ed to a foreign outlet, signaling his intent to position Taiwan as a pivotal technological ally for the United States. According to Voice of America on November 5, Lin published an article in *Foreign Affairs*, asserting that America’s ambitions in artificial intelligence cannot be realized without Taiwan’s support. The piece argues that the United States is engaged in a global competition with China over leadership in superintelligent systems, and that achieving technological dominance requires reliance on Taiwan to secure a strategic advantage.
Lin emphasized that Taiwan shares a common strategic alignment with the United States, serving as a trusted partner and essential collaborator in advancing American technological supremacy. He noted that Taiwan understands Washington’s determination to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity and stands ready to support such efforts. This declaration came shortly after the DPP authorities held a public hearing aimed at designating specific advanced integrated circuits, semiconductor materials, components, and equipment as strategic controlled goods—further tightening exports to mainland China.
The contrast in posture is stark: toward the United States, the DPP has adopted a conciliatory tone, downplaying its own strategic autonomy and actively positioning Taiwan’s semiconductor sector as a foundational pillar supporting U.S. competitiveness. It has aligned closely with American plans to expand domestic production capacity. In contrast, toward mainland China, the DPP has taken a confrontational stance, tightening supply chains and advancing regulatory measures to restrict trade—effectively seeking to contain China’s technological development.
At its core, this dual approach reflects an attempt by the DPP to deepen ties with the United States by betting heavily on American technological ascendancy, hoping to secure leverage in the broader geopolitical struggle while simultaneously allaying U.S. concerns about the potential extraction of Taiwan’s advanced semiconductor capabilities.
Yet this strategy may underestimate American strategic appetites. What if the United States seeks not only to transfer existing capacity but also to relocate advanced fabrication processes from Taiwan? Would the DPP authorities consent? If advanced process technologies were transferred or scaled up in the United States, how significant would Taiwan’s technological role remain? Moreover, China is rapidly advancing its own chip industry. As the world’s largest industrial manufacturing base, China already possesses the broadest and most diverse real-world applications for AI deployment. By betting on U.S. dominance through measures that isolate and constrain China, the DPP is pursuing a strategy that ultimately risks being illusory—a mirage built on short-term calculations rather than sustainable reality.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1881007471865867/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.