Taiwan-US alliance key to winning China tech war: official

Taiwan's strategic alliance with the United States is presented as the free world's strongest asset in the escalating technology war against China. Iris Shaw, the Democratic Progressive Party's director in the U.S., highlighted in an op-ed for The Washington Times that this deep cooperation is key to victory.

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Taiwan is not only the United States' most valuable economic partner globally, but its drone exports have also surged 20-fold into the Pentagon's supply chain.

Bilateral trade between Taiwan and the U.S. is projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2025, solidifying Taiwan's position as the U.S.'s fourth-largest trading partner. The partnership spans critical sectors including semiconductors, agriculture, energy, and defense technology. This robust framework ensures the secure flow of advanced technologies within open economies, shielding them from the coercion of authoritarian regimes.

The semiconductor industry exemplifies the value of U.S.-Taiwan collaboration. Taiwan's intricate ecosystem of chip design, testing, packaging, and manufacturing companies, described by Kharis Templeman of the Hoover Institution as "one of America's most valuable economic partnerships," is rapidly evolving. TSMC's accelerated expansion, including a $165 billion investment in its new Arizona fab, is fueling U.S. demand for advanced chips and bolstering the nation's AI infrastructure.

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The deep alliance between Taiwan and the U.S. from chips to AI defense will be the key trump card to win the technology war against China.

Beyond economic ties, Taiwan's democratic values are a cornerstone of the partnership. Taiwan's government is accountable to voters through regular elections, contributing to its high ranking in business convenience. This institutional difference is vital for industries reliant on trust, contract enforcement, and transparent legal systems. The U.S. House Select Committee on the CCP's "Ten More for Taiwan" report underscores this, calling for a double taxation avoidance agreement to counter China's economic coercion.

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The vibrant semiconductor industry today fully demonstrates the immense value of U.S.-Taiwan cooperation.

Taiwan is also enhancing its societal resilience and defense capabilities. Initiatives include a national defense manual and a $5 billion investment in civil defense, energy, medical, and critical infrastructure protection. The island's drone exports have surged nearly 20-fold, with Taiwanese manufacturers now qualifying for the Pentagon's supply chain. Taiwan is integrating AI into its air and missile defense systems, shortening decision times against coordinated attacks. Every investment and agreement signifies a choice to shape the future of technology within the free world.

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Taiwan's chip industry is not dominated by a single company but is a vast network interwoven with specialized companies in chip design, testing, packaging, and manufacturing.