Trump Tariffs Reshape Supply Chain, US Expert: Taiwan Becomes Key Technology Partner
At a forum hosted by the North American Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, US Senior Director of International and Public Affairs Art Estopinan stated that Trump's tariff policies are reshaping supply chains, making Taiwan a key technology partner for the US. If Trump is re-elected in 2025, tariffs exceeding 100% on Chinese products have led to a nearly 60% increase in Taiwan's exports to the US within a year. Taiwan controls over 90% of advanced semiconductor production, crucial for AI, defense, and high-tech development. TSMC has invested $165 billion in Arizona, and in 2025, the US Congress advanced legislation to reduce double taxation for Taiwanese firms, followed by a reciprocal trade agreement in 2026. Taiwanese companies are adopting a 'dual-track model' with Mexico for mass production and the US for high-end manufacturing.
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- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 14:59
- 🔍 Collected: April 7, 2026 at 16:00 (1h 1m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 12:40 (188h 40m after Collected)
The North American Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce today hosted the 2026 "New Framework for US-Taiwan Economic and Trade Agreement: Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies for Taiwanese Enterprises Investing in the US, and New Layout of Non-Red Supply Chains" forum.
Art Estopinan, US Senior Director of International and Public Affairs, delivered a speech titled "Taiwan in the Trump Era US: Key Factors Enterprises Cannot Ignore."
Estopinan stated that current global trade rules are being rewritten, and policy decisions, corporate layouts, and capital flows are reshaping the competitive landscape at an unprecedented speed.
He stated that after US President Trump returns to the White House in 2025, he will use tariffs as a primary economic policy tool, imposing tariffs exceeding 100% on some Chinese products, almost freezing bilateral trade. Against this backdrop, the amount of US imports from Taiwan has grown significantly, with Taiwan's exports to the US increasing by nearly 60% within one year, indicating a shift in the industrial chain towards Taiwan.
Estopinan emphasized that Taiwan's position in the global supply chain is irreplaceable, controlling over 90% of advanced semiconductor production, which is key to artificial intelligence, defense, and high-tech development. He mentioned that TSMC's investment in Arizona, USA, amounts to US$165 billion, symbolizing a shift in global manufacturing centers and investment directions.
He pointed out that the US Congress reached bipartisan consensus in 2025, actively promoting legislation to reduce double taxation for Taiwanese enterprises and encouraging manufacturing to return to the US. In addition, the US and Taiwan signed a Reciprocal Trade Agreement in 2026, which, in addition to reducing tariffs, also established long-term procurement cooperation in areas such as energy, aviation, and infrastructure.
In terms of industrial layout, Estopinan pointed out that Taiwanese enterprises have formed a dual-track model with Mexico as the mass production base and the US as the high-end manufacturing center. He stated that in addition to Arizona, Texas and the southeastern US are also becoming important areas for US-Taiwan industrial cooperation.
Compared to countries like Vietnam and India, which mostly compete in assembly manufacturing, Estopinan believes that Taiwan provides core technologies and key inputs, operating at a different level of competition. He stated that US-Taiwan relations are now driven by capital, technology, and industrial strategy, and Taiwanese enterprises should continue to strengthen their technological capabilities and trust foundation to maintain their competitive advantage. (Editor: Pan Yi-Ching) 1150407
Art Estopinan, US Senior Director of International and Public Affairs, delivered a speech titled "Taiwan in the Trump Era US: Key Factors Enterprises Cannot Ignore."
Estopinan stated that current global trade rules are being rewritten, and policy decisions, corporate layouts, and capital flows are reshaping the competitive landscape at an unprecedented speed.
He stated that after US President Trump returns to the White House in 2025, he will use tariffs as a primary economic policy tool, imposing tariffs exceeding 100% on some Chinese products, almost freezing bilateral trade. Against this backdrop, the amount of US imports from Taiwan has grown significantly, with Taiwan's exports to the US increasing by nearly 60% within one year, indicating a shift in the industrial chain towards Taiwan.
Estopinan emphasized that Taiwan's position in the global supply chain is irreplaceable, controlling over 90% of advanced semiconductor production, which is key to artificial intelligence, defense, and high-tech development. He mentioned that TSMC's investment in Arizona, USA, amounts to US$165 billion, symbolizing a shift in global manufacturing centers and investment directions.
He pointed out that the US Congress reached bipartisan consensus in 2025, actively promoting legislation to reduce double taxation for Taiwanese enterprises and encouraging manufacturing to return to the US. In addition, the US and Taiwan signed a Reciprocal Trade Agreement in 2026, which, in addition to reducing tariffs, also established long-term procurement cooperation in areas such as energy, aviation, and infrastructure.
In terms of industrial layout, Estopinan pointed out that Taiwanese enterprises have formed a dual-track model with Mexico as the mass production base and the US as the high-end manufacturing center. He stated that in addition to Arizona, Texas and the southeastern US are also becoming important areas for US-Taiwan industrial cooperation.
Compared to countries like Vietnam and India, which mostly compete in assembly manufacturing, Estopinan believes that Taiwan provides core technologies and key inputs, operating at a different level of competition. He stated that US-Taiwan relations are now driven by capital, technology, and industrial strategy, and Taiwanese enterprises should continue to strengthen their technological capabilities and trust foundation to maintain their competitive advantage. (Editor: Pan Yi-Ching) 1150407
FAQ
How have Trump's tariff policies affected Taiwan?
Taiwan's exports to the US increased by nearly 60% within a year, making Taiwan a key technology partner for the US.
What strategy are Taiwanese companies adopting for investment in the US?
They are forming a 'dual-track model' with Mexico as the mass production base and the US as the high-end manufacturing center.