Donald Trump has been accused of charging ‘the world’s most powerful company’ a $100billion fee in exchange for ‘protection.’
Trump celebrated the $100billion investment from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company during a surprise White House ceremony earlier this month.
He boasted that it would create thousands of jobs for Americans, primarily in the swing state of Arizona.
But Taiwan’s former President Ma Ying-jeou blasted the deal this week, accusing the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of ‘selling TSMC’ to Trump as a ‘protection fee.’
Ma described the deal as ‘a major national security crisis’ which will have ‘a negative impact on the confidence of the Chinese people… and Taiwan’s future geopolitical position.’
He accused the current government of bowing down to US requests for investment in the hopes that it will result in protection as they ‘continue to fight for Taiwan independence outside and internally.’
‘Taiwan is facing a more serious crisis. Three years after the Russian-Ukrainian war, Ukraine’s situation is obvious to all; now there are rumors that the United States is going to cut off all military aid to Ukraine.’
He said there are legitimate concerns that ‘Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow’ will become a reality, in which after Ukraine is defeated by Russia, China will feel emboldened to target Taiwan.
Trump celebrated the $100billion investment from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company during a surprise White House ceremony earlier this month
Taiwan’s former President Ma Ying-jeou blasted the deal this week, accusing the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of ‘selling TSMC’ to Trump as a ‘protection fee.’
‘Don’t forget, USA President Trump is a businessman,’ he said.
‘All interests come first. Is it enough to sell a TSMC? What else to sell after?’
Ma called on the DPP to ‘protect TSMC’ due to its ‘national security strategic importance. Anti-China cannot protect Taiwan.’
China’s Community Party has long claimed Taiwan is part of its territory, vowing to take control of the island.
Beijinghas increased hostilities in recent years by conducting military exercises in waters near Taiwan and flying fighter jets through the skies.
In order to maintain its sovereignty, Taiwan has relied on military and political support from the United States.
But Trump’s rhetoric suggests that support may not be guaranteed.
He has accused Taiwan of ‘stealing’ the semiconductor industry which it now heavily relies upon – and which this deal is based on – and has also called on Taiwan to ‘pay’ for the protection it receives.
Ma called on the DPP to ‘protect TSMC’ due to its ‘national security strategic importance. Anti-China cannot protect Taiwan’
It will go into ‘building five cutting edge fabrication facilities,’ Trump said during a White House event flanked by TSMC’s chief executive, C.C. Wei (pictured together)
In celebrating the investment deal, Trump said the chip-making giant will invest ‘at least’ $100 billion in the United States.
It will build ‘cutting edge’ chip manufacturing facilities.
It was the latest blockbuster financial pledge by a private company since his return to office in January.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s new investment will come on top of their existing commitments of around $65 billion.
It will go into ‘building five cutting edge fabrication facilities,’ Trump said during a White House event flanked by TSMC’s chief executive, C.C. Wei.
He added that much of the funding would be invested in the US state of Arizona, where TSMC – the world’s largest chipmaker – has already invested heavily, and would create ‘many thousands’ of high-paying jobs.