Trump Pressures Taiwan to Relocate Semiconductor Industry to U.S., Says "Taiwan Took Away America's Semiconductor Industry"

Trump Draws a Line: "No Change in Taiwan Policy"

Immediately following the U.S.-China summit, U.S. President Donald Trump hinted that he could use the issue of arms sales to Taiwan as a negotiating card with China. He even mentioned the need for Taiwanese semiconductor companies to relocate to the United States, leading some to interpret that U.S.-China relations surrounding Taiwan are entering a new phase.

Getty Images Yonhap News

On the 15th (local time), President Trump was interviewed by Fox News and, when asked about whether he would approve additional arms sales to Taiwan, answered, "I have not approved it yet," adding, "I may approve it, or I may not."

He stated, "I am currently withholding approval for the arms sales, and this depends on China's attitude," emphasizing, "This is a very useful bargaining chip for us."

On the 15th, Trump and Xi Jinping shake hands at Zhongnanhai in Beijing. Photo by AFP / Yonhap News

President Trump also commented on the military reality across the Taiwan Strait, saying, "If you look at the situation, China is a powerful country and Taiwan is a small island." He added, "I prefer to maintain the status quo and do not want a war," and said, "I do not want to see a situation where someone declares independence believing in U.S. support."

He further asserted, "I don't think China will act while I am in office," but added, "There may be a possibility after I leave office."

Additionally, he said, "I want all the semiconductor manufacturers in Taiwan to move to the United States," and in the current tense situation, "that would be an excellent choice." He also expressed hope that by the end of his term, 40 to 50 percent of the global semiconductor industry would be based in the United States.

In particular, President Trump argued, "Taiwan was able to grow because the United States did not impose tariffs on Taiwan's semiconductor industry in the past," and claimed, "Taiwan has taken away the U.S. semiconductor industry for a long time."

However, when asked whether there would be any changes to Taiwan's security situation following the U.S.-China summit, he responded that he remains "neutral" and drew a line by saying, "There will be no change in Taiwan policy."

Nevertheless, he urged restraint on both sides, saying, "I do not want a situation where someone declares independence and the United States has to go 9,500 miles to fight a war."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.