Taiwan’s economy minister Kuo Jyh-huei answered questions about TSMC’s plan to invest an additional US$100 billion in the U.S. at a gala on Monday night.

Asked how to make sure TSMC’s advanced manufacturing stays within Taiwan, Kuo pointed to two things: culture and experience. Taiwan’s culture is “extremely important,” Kuo said, as it affects TSMC’s work environment. “It will take time for culture to move to a new place,” he said.

America’s research environment is also very different, Kuo said. “While most American research and development happens in research laboratories,” he said, “most of Taiwan’s technological research and development is left on the production line.”

Kuo said he was “happy” with TSMC’s investment in the U.S., as it is a global company and took the global market into consideration when making this decision. He emphasized that TSMC’s future fabs would go better than its first, because they have more experience now. “We should support them,” he said.

$Taiwan's economy minister Kuo Jyh-huei speaking outside the Legislature in Taipei on Sept. 20, 2024$

Source: Reuters File Footage

TSMC Announces Additional US$100B Investment in U.S.