U.S. President Donald Trump is facing accusations of charging a $100 billion “protection fee” in exchange for securing military and geopolitical support for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s most powerful chip maker.
The controversy stems from a deal announced earlier this month, in which TSMC committed to investing $100 billion in a semiconductor plant in Arizona, a move hailed by Trump as a major win for American jobs.
While celebrating the deal in a White House ceremony, Trump boasted that the investment would create thousands of jobs in the state of Arizona, positioning the U.S. as a key player in the global semiconductor industry.
However, the deal has drawn strong criticism from Taiwan’s former president, Ma Ying-jeou, who accused the Taiwanese government of “selling” TSMC to Trump in exchange for “protection.”
Ma, who served as Taiwan’s president from 2008 to 2016, described the arrangement as a “major national security crisis” that would diminish Taiwan’s geopolitical position, particularly in the face of growing tensions with China.
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He also expressed concern that Taiwan’s reliance on the U.S. could jeopardize its sovereignty and security.
“Is it enough to sell TSMC?” Ma questioned, warning that Taiwan might be sacrificing its strategic national assets in exchange for U.S. protection, which could ultimately undermine its future independence.
He further raised the alarm about the growing uncertainty surrounding U.S. foreign policy, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and speculated that Taiwan could be the next target if the U.S. were to retreat from its military commitments in the region.
Ma’s criticism highlights the delicate balance Taiwan must navigate in its relations with both the U.S. and China. The Chinese Communist Party has long claimed Taiwan as part of its territory, regularly staging military drills and flying fighter jets near Taiwanese airspace.
In the wake of this controversy, Taiwanese officials, including Ma, have urged the current government to safeguard TSMC, stressing its importance to national security and the island’s economy.
