Taiwan's ex-premier refutes Trump's chip theft claims, citing 'leader's arrogance' and 1976 wine tasting parallel

Former Taiwanese Premier Chen Chien-jen has strongly refuted claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump that Taiwan has stolen chip technology. Chen asserts that Taiwan's globally leading semiconductor industry was built upon legally acquired technology and years of dedicated research and development, not theft.

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The Industrial Technology Research Institute legally transferred technology from RCA in 1976 through a paid agreement, and then improved it through self-research. From three micrometers to two nanometers, dripping water penetrates stone, leading to today's semiconductor industry that looks down on the world. This is absolutely not theft.

Chen explained that in 1976, Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) legally transferred technology from RCA through a paid agreement. This foundational technology was then improved upon through continuous research, progressing from three-micrometer to two-nanometer processes. This persistent effort, combined with the diligent work ethic of its people, has resulted in Taiwan's current semiconductor industry, which Chen argues has surpassed that of the United States. He characterized Trump's accusations as the "arrogance of the leader," or "inertia of arrogance," a phenomenon he likens to the 1976 Judgment of Paris wine tasting.

In that historic blind tasting, French wines, long considered the world's finest, were unexpectedly outperformed by Californian wines. Chen noted that the French wine industry, accustomed to its leading position, reacted with disbelief and attributed the results to flawed judging rather than acknowledging the advancements of their competitors. Similarly, he suggested, Trump fails to recognize Taiwan's legitimate technological progress and instead resorts to accusations of theft out of frustration.

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Trump is completely unaware that Taiwan's chip development, after legally acquiring technology transfer in 1976, has long surpassed the United States through rooted research and development and continuous upgrades, coupled with diligent work ethic. Trump, in his anger, resorts to accusing theft, which is precisely the arrogance of the leader, or even a bit of inertia of arrogance.

Chen further drew parallels between Taiwan's semiconductor development and the rise of "New World" wines, emphasizing the humility and persistent innovation of those who challenge established leaders. He also touched upon the importance of removing bias, as seen in the blind tasting, to ensure fair judgment. The former premier concluded by urging powerful nations and leaders not to exhibit such "inertia of arrogance," questioning whether Trump has learned this lesson. He directly challenged Trump's narrative, stating emphatically that Taiwan's semiconductor success is not theft.

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What you're seeing is a race-based pogrom. We are seeing men going door to door asking to get the foreigners out based exclusively on the colour of their skin.