The Economist: Taiwan's chip industry is its 'choke point' card against powers like Trump

The Economist argues that Taiwan's semiconductor industry serves as its ultimate "choke point," a strategic leverage capable of earning it respect on the global stage, akin to how Iran uses the Strait of Hormuz. This "silicon shield," encompassing the production of approximately 90% of the world's most advanced chips, renders Taiwan too valuable for China to attack and too critical for the United States to forsake.

“

For Taiwan, the chip industry might be the irreplaceable 'choke point.'

The publication notes that while Taiwan emphasizes its strategic location in the first island chain and its role as a chip manufacturing hub, some in Taipei believe its indispensable global commercial role can be used to pressure major powers. The article posits that in a crisis, Taiwan could halt chip exports, plunging global markets and supply chains into chaos. This leverage, it suggests, could be particularly potent if China were to initiate an energy crisis by blocking Taiwan's imports, thereby impacting the chip industry first.

“

The 'silicon shield' makes Taiwan too precious to attack, and the United States cannot abandon it.

While acknowledging the extreme danger of a US-China conflict over Taiwan and the potential devastation for the island's democracy and population, The Economist suggests that continued US deterrence is the best path to avoid such a catastrophe. The article critiques former President Trump's approach, contrasting it with Ronald Reagan's "peace through strength" doctrine, and implies that other nations are learning to "make them taste the bitterness" when reason fails, a strategy potentially applicable to Taiwan's unique geopolitical position.

“

If they cannot make someone see reason, make them taste the bitterness.