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The
rules announced Friday by President Joe Biden's administration
include a measure to cut China off from certain chips made
anywhere in the world with U.S. equipment, vastly expanding its
reach in its bid to slow Beijing's technological and military
advances.
Taiwan, a major chip producer, is home to Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing Co (TSMC), the world's largest contract chipmaker
and a major supplier to companies including Apple Inc.
In a statement in response to the U.S. announcement, Taiwan's
Economy Ministry said Taiwanese firms were law-abiding.
"Taiwan's semiconductor industry has long served global
customers and attaches great importance to compliance with
laws," it said.
"In addition to complying with domestic laws and regulations, it
will also cooperate with the needs of international customers
who place orders and the norms of customers in their countries."
Taiwan's semiconductor industry is a technological leader and
continues to "maintain an advantage in the competition for
international orders", the ministry said.
The government continues to maintain close contact with
manufacturers and supports them in investing in factory
expansion and supplying products to the world for technological
development, the ministry said.
TSMC declined to comment on the U.S. rules, saying it was in its
quiet period ahead of quarterly earnings next week. Smaller
competitor United Microelectronics Corp also declined comment
ahead of its earnings release later this month.
Taiwan has its own concerns about China, especially efforts by
Chinese companies to poach chip talent and technical know-how.
The government tightly restricts Taiwanese chip investment in
China, the island's largest trading partner.
Taiwan's worries have gained pace as China mounts regular
military drills near the island in an attempt to force it into
accepting Beijing's sovereignty.
The United States is Taiwan's most important international
supporter and arms supplier, despite the absence of formal
diplomatic ties.
Taiwan Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua will visit the United
States next week to respond to what her office called "concerns"
about supply chains and geopolitical issues. She will visit U.S.
tech firms that are major customers of Taiwanese semiconductor
companies.
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by William Mallard)
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