Most Taiwanese oppose transferring semiconductor tech to US: Report

ISTANBUL

A survey released Monday showed that 84.8% of Taiwanese respondents oppose transferring Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s (TSMC) advanced technology to the US, Taiwan News reported.

The results came as US President Donald Trump persisted in advocating for the shift of semiconductor manufacturing through the threat of tariffs.

Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang announced the poll results at a press conference, urging the government to prepare for potential trade negotiations with Washington.

The results revealed that 85.6% of respondents think Trump will impose tariffs on Taiwan, while 62.4% believe the US has the advantage in trade negotiations.

It also showed that 83.8% of respondents agreed that companies like TSMC are the nation’s “sacred mountain.”

Another 62.5% of the respondents believe the strategic importance of Taiwan’s semiconductor sector would prompt Western intervention if tensions with China escalated.

China views Taiwan as a “breakaway province,” while Taiwan has maintained its independence since 1949.

Additionally, 88.4% of respondents disagreed with President Trump’s claim that Taiwan "stole" the US semiconductor industry.

Trump said on Feb. 13 that Taiwan had taken the semiconductor chip business away from the US and he wanted it back. Taiwan’s TSMC is the world’s largest chipmaker.

Taiwan recorded a record-high trade surplus of $73.9 billion with the US last year, according to Taiwan News.

The poll was conducted by the Foundation for the People from Feb. 18-21, targeting internet users aged 20 and above across the island and collecting 1,042 valid responses.