The Looming Taiwan Chip Disaster That Silicon Valley Has Long Ignored
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Taiwan produces approximately 90% of the world’s high-end computer chips, making it a critical hub for the global tech industry and a point of vulnerability.
- U.S. national security officials have warned Silicon Valley executives about China's potential plans to retake Taiwan, which could disrupt chip supplies and severely impact the U.S. tech sector.
- Despite efforts by Presidents Biden and Trump—including financial incentives and threats of tariffs—the U.S. tech industry has largely resisted shifting chip production away from Taiwan.
- Recent Chinese military drills near Taiwan have heightened concerns among White House officials about the risk of a blockade, which Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described as a potential "economic apocalypse."
- The continued concentration of chip manufacturing in Taiwan poses a
