The US Has a Problem With Its Biggest Chip Friend

For a nation trying to rebuild alliances and bring together a group of like-minded countries against a common threat, the US has a funny way of treating its friends. In the semiconductor sector, for which it’s ready to dole out billions of dollars in incentives, the single most critical partner is Taiwan.

But Taiwan isn’t feeling the love. At least, that’s how the man responsible for building the world’s most important semiconductor company sees it. Speaking in Taipei on Thursday, Morris Chang gave his thumbs up to the Trump and Biden administrations’ strategies to limit Chinese access to US chip technology, but took issue with Washington’s broader policy of “friendshoring” — moving supply chains away from China to trusted nations. His problem? This doesn’t include Taiwan.