US would destroy Taiwan's semiconductor factories rather than letting them fall into China's hands, a former national security adviser says

[beijingwalker]

US would destroy Taiwan's semiconductor factories rather than letting them fall into China's hands, a former national security adviser says​

Britney Nguyen
Mar 14, 2023, 1:23 AM

Former US national security adviser Robert O'Brien told Semafor China would be "like the new OPEC of silicon chips" if it invaded Taiwan and took over semiconductor factories. Costfoto/Future Publishing via Getty Images

• A former security adviser told Semafor the US would destroy Taiwan's semiconductor factories if China invaded.
• Robert O'Brien said China would be able to "control the world economy" if it took over the factories.
• TSMC is the world's largest chipmaker, powering most of the devices and equipment used everyday.

If China invades Taiwan, the US would destroy the island's semiconductor factories to avoid China from taking them over, a former national security adviser told Semafor.

Robert O'Brien, who served as national security advisor under Donald Trump, said the US "and its allies are never going to let those factories fall into Chinese hands."

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is the world's largest chipmaker, making up an estimated 90% of the market for advanced processors. TSMC produces chips for most devices and equipment like phones and cars that are used everyday. More advanced chips produced by the manufacturer are used in highly advanced technology like machine learning and guide missiles.

If China were to take control of TSMC factories in the case of an invasion, the country would be "like the new OPEC of silicon chips," O'Brien said, adding that China would be able to "control the world economy."

The former adviser reportedly compared the US destroying the factories to when former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill ordered the destruction of France's naval fleet during World War II after France surrendered to Germany.

Neither O'Brien nor TSMC immediately responded to Insider's request for comment.

iPhone-maker Apple is TSMC's biggest customer, and the manufacturer produces most of the 1.4 billion smartphone processors in the world. Around 60% of automakers reportedly use TSMC's chips.

Although a lot of the research and development for semiconductors happens in the US, the last 30 years saw manufacturers deciding it was best to outsource manufacturing, William Alan Reinsch, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, previously told Insider.

"You build a big factory and you crank these things out by the thousands, and you do it in a low-wage, nonunion country that probably doesn't have environmental requirements," Reinsch said. "You keep all the design and IP at home and you do all your sales, marketing, and service at home, and that's where you make the money."

O'Brien is not the first to raise the idea of destroying Taiwan's semiconductor factories if China invades. Two US scholars recommended the move in a paper published by the US Army War College in 2021.

"To start, the United States and Taiwan should lay plans for a targeted scorched-earth strategy that would render Taiwan not just unattractive if ever seized by force, but positively costly to maintain," the paper suggests. "This could be done most effectively by threatening to destroy facilities belonging to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the most important chipmaker in the world and China's most important supplier. Samsung based in South Korea (a US ally) is the only alternative for cutting-edge designs."

But Chen Ming-tong, director-general of Taiwan's National Security Bureau, has previously said it would be unnecessary for the US to destroy Taiwan's semiconductor factories in the case of an invasion, because the system is already deeply integrated in the global supply chain, meaning production can be shut down by the US and other countries without physically destroying the factories.

For example, TSMC wouldn't be able to produce certain chips without components from Dutch supplier ASML, Chen said. "Even if China got a hold of the golden hen, it won't be able to lay golden eggs," Chen said.

As tensions between mainland China and Taiwan continue to escalate, experts are predicting a Chinese invasion of the island within the next few years. If China does invade Taiwan, "that would be the biggest impact we've seen to the global economy — possibly ever," Glenn O'Donnell, vice president and research director at Forrester, previously told Insider, adding that it could be worse than the stock market crash in 1929.

US would destroy Taiwan's semiconductor factories rather than letting them fall into China's hands, a former national security advisor says

Robert O'Brien told Semafor that China would be "like the new OPEC of silicon chips" if it invaded Taiwan and took over semiconductor factories.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[epebble]

US would destroy Taiwan's semiconductor factories rather than letting them fall into China's hands, a former national security adviser says​

Britney Nguyen
Mar 14, 2023, 1:23 AM

Former US national security adviser Robert O'Brien told Semafor China would be "like the new OPEC of silicon chips" if it invaded Taiwan and took over semiconductor factories. Costfoto/Future Publishing via Getty Images

• A former security adviser told Semafor the US would destroy Taiwan's semiconductor factories if China invaded.
• Robert O'Brien said China would be able to "control the world economy" if it took over the factories.
• TSMC is the world's largest chipmaker, powering most of the devices and equipment used everyday.

If China invades Taiwan, the US would destroy the island's semiconductor factories to avoid China from taking them over, a former national security adviser told Semafor.

Robert O'Brien, who served as national security advisor under Donald Trump, said the US "and its allies are never going to let those factories fall into Chinese hands."

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is the world's largest chipmaker, making up an estimated 90% of the market for advanced processors. TSMC produces chips for most devices and equipment like phones and cars that are used everyday. More advanced chips produced by the manufacturer are used in highly advanced technology like machine learning and guide missiles.

If China were to take control of TSMC factories in the case of an invasion, the country would be "like the new OPEC of silicon chips," O'Brien said, adding that China would be able to "control the world economy."

The former adviser reportedly compared the US destroying the factories to when former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill ordered the destruction of France's naval fleet during World War II after France surrendered to Germany.

Neither O'Brien nor TSMC immediately responded to Insider's request for comment.

iPhone-maker Apple is TSMC's biggest customer, and the manufacturer produces most of the 1.4 billion smartphone processors in the world. Around 60% of automakers reportedly use TSMC's chips.

Although a lot of the research and development for semiconductors happens in the US, the last 30 years saw manufacturers deciding it was best to outsource manufacturing, William Alan Reinsch, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, previously told Insider.

"You build a big factory and you crank these things out by the thousands, and you do it in a low-wage, nonunion country that probably doesn't have environmental requirements," Reinsch said. "You keep all the design and IP at home and you do all your sales, marketing, and service at home, and that's where you make the money."

O'Brien is not the first to raise the idea of destroying Taiwan's semiconductor factories if China invades. Two US scholars recommended the move in a paper published by the US Army War College in 2021.

"To start, the United States and Taiwan should lay plans for a targeted scorched-earth strategy that would render Taiwan not just unattractive if ever seized by force, but positively costly to maintain," the paper suggests. "This could be done most effectively by threatening to destroy facilities belonging to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the most important chipmaker in the world and China's most important supplier. Samsung based in South Korea (a US ally) is the only alternative for cutting-edge designs."

But Chen Ming-tong, director-general of Taiwan's National Security Bureau, has previously said it would be unnecessary for the US to destroy Taiwan's semiconductor factories in the case of an invasion, because the system is already deeply integrated in the global supply chain, meaning production can be shut down by the US and other countries without physically destroying the factories.

For example, TSMC wouldn't be able to produce certain chips without components from Dutch supplier ASML, Chen said. "Even if China got a hold of the golden hen, it won't be able to lay golden eggs," Chen said.

As tensions between mainland China and Taiwan continue to escalate, experts are predicting a Chinese invasion of the island within the next few years. If China does invade Taiwan, "that would be the biggest impact we've seen to the global economy — possibly ever," Glenn O'Donnell, vice president and research director at Forrester, previously told Insider, adding that it could be worse than the stock market crash in 1929.

US would destroy Taiwan's semiconductor factories rather than letting them fall into China's hands, a former national security advisor says

Robert O'Brien told Semafor that China would be "like the new OPEC of silicon chips" if it invaded Taiwan and took over semiconductor factories.

www.businessinsider.com

Absolute moron. This is what happens when a non-technical* guy runs his mouth. More than 90% of worlds computers run Intel silicon. 10% of worlds phones are Apple. The chips can be made anywhere in U.S., Europe, Korea, Japan etc. Another thing: 99% of the cost of a chip is intellectual property. I% is the value of pure silicon.

Robert Charles O'Brien Jr. is an American attorney* who served as the 27th United States national security advisor from 2019 to 2021

 

[beijingwalker]

China Says US Must Provide A Clear Explanation Of 'plan For The Destruction Of Taiwan'​

These statements comes at a time when tensions between US and China are already tense, due to the spy balloon incident.​

24th February, 2023 20:47 IST

As Russian invasion entered its second year on February 24, China stated the Ukraine crisis has taught the world many lessons, while stressing that 'clinging to the Cold War mentality leads to antagonism & confrontation; Stoking bloc confrontation leads to conflict and war and applying double-standard will certainly backfire". Addressing a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin slammed the US over "plan for the destruction of Taiwan”.

"We’re also curious what the US “plan for the destruction of Taiwan” looks like. The US needs to provide a clear explanation on this," Wenbin said.
"Since President Biden had already ordered the airship to be shot down on Feb.1, is it possible that conclusions have already been pre-drawn in the investigation report? Most likely it’ll just repeat the allegations the US has made irresponsibly against China," he added.

These statements come at a time when tensions between US and China are already tense due to the spy balloon incident. The tensions have gone up since US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, at the Munich Security Conference, suggested that Beijing was toying with the idea of providing lethal aid to Ukraine. China has denied this allegation and targeted US intelligence by saying that the US should come clean about the Nord Stream explosions.

What is US plan to destroy Taiwan?​

The remarks surfaced on a social media bombshell dropped in Washington by Garland Nixon, a renowned American radio program host, who quoted a White House insider as stating that US President Joe Biden had revealed the US plan to destroy Taiwan.

“BREAKING NEWS: White House insiders leak that, when asked if there could be any greater disaster than the neocon Ukraine project, President Biden responded, wait until you see our plan for the destruction of Taiwan,” Nixon wrote in a post on February 16 without providing any clarification about the sources. Therefore, the authenticity of his claims cannot be justified.

Former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislator Alex Tsai (蔡正元) shared Nixon’s post on Facebook with a Chinese-language translation.

“It has come to our attention that a certain Taiwanese politician quoted from a reportedly famous radio talk show host in Washington, who said that the White House has a plan to destroy Taiwan,” the ministry said in a statement. “Such information is unverified and false, as Taiwan-US relations continue to grow in a positive direction, and US officials repeatedly pledge to support Taiwan and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”

“We want to remind people to beware of messages from certain individuals expressing anti-US sentiments or those questioning the US’ commitment to defend Taiwan, as they will take advantage of every opportunity to spread false information using sensational content,” it said. “They often echo the rhetoric that China uses for cognitive warfare to erode Taiwanese confidence in the US and damage the Taiwan-US partnerships.”

US reportedly planning to send 200 troops to Taiwan for special training​

Amid rising tensions between the US and China, it has come to light that Washington is preparing to send around 200 soldiers to Taiwan for special training. According to the Sputnik report, the training will be held for an expansion of the small but controversial US Marine contingent of 30 stationed in Taiwan.

Notably, the Chinese government has strongly opposed US troops on the island, as Beijing sees Taiwan as part of Chinese territory, which is now being supported by western countries.

A look at ties between US and Taiwan​

The relationship between the United States and Taiwan is complex and multifaceted, shaped by historical, political, and economic factors. Taiwan is a democratic and prosperous island nation located off the southeastern coast of China, and the US has maintained unofficial diplomatic relations with Taiwan since 1979, when it switched official recognition from Taiwan to China.

Despite not having official diplomatic relations, the US has maintained strong ties with Taiwan over the years, providing it with economic, military, and political support. The US is Taiwan's second-largest trading partner and its main source of arms, and the two countries also cooperate on a range of issues, including counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and regional security.

However, the US-Taiwan relationship has also been a source of tension with China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly threatened to use force to reunify the island with the mainland. The US's support for Taiwan is seen as a challenge to China's claim, and Beijing has responded by increasing military pressure on Taiwan, conducting regular military exercises and sending fighter jets and ships to circle the island.

The US has sought to balance its support for Taiwan with its desire to maintain stable relations with China, which is a major economic and geopolitical power. In recent years, the US has taken steps to strengthen its ties with Taiwan, including selling arms to Taiwan, increasing high-level diplomatic contacts, and passing legislation to support Taiwan's international participation.

The Biden administration has continued to maintain a strong stance on Taiwan, affirming its commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act and supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations, including the World Health Organization. The US has also increased its military presence in the region, conducting regular naval exercises and sending high-level officials to visit Taiwan.

China says US must provide a clear explanation of 'plan for the destruction of Taiwan'

These statements comes at a time when tensions between US and China are already tense, due to the spy balloon incident.

www.republicworld.com

 

[Zsari]

Absolute moron. This is what happens when a non-technical* guy runs his mouth. More than 90% of worlds computers run Intel silicon. 10% of worlds phones are Apple. The chips can be made anywhere in U.S., Europe, Korea, Japan etc. Another thing: 99% of the cost of a chip is intellectual property. I% is the value of pure silicon.

Robert Charles O'Brien Jr. is an American attorney* who served as the 27th United States national security advisor from 2019 to 2021

But US WILL do that regardless.

 

[Skull and Bones]

China Says US Must Provide A Clear Explanation Of 'plan For The Destruction Of Taiwan'​

These statements comes at a time when tensions between US and China are already tense, due to the spy balloon incident.​

24th February, 2023 20:47 IST

As Russian invasion entered its second year on February 24, China stated the Ukraine crisis has taught the world many lessons, while stressing that 'clinging to the Cold War mentality leads to antagonism & confrontation; Stoking bloc confrontation leads to conflict and war and applying double-standard will certainly backfire". Addressing a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin slammed the US over "plan for the destruction of Taiwan”.



These statements come at a time when tensions between US and China are already tense due to the spy balloon incident. The tensions have gone up since US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, at the Munich Security Conference, suggested that Beijing was toying with the idea of providing lethal aid to Ukraine. China has denied this allegation and targeted US intelligence by saying that the US should come clean about the Nord Stream explosions.

What is US plan to destroy Taiwan?​

The remarks surfaced on a social media bombshell dropped in Washington by Garland Nixon, a renowned American radio program host, who quoted a White House insider as stating that US President Joe Biden had revealed the US plan to destroy Taiwan.

“BREAKING NEWS: White House insiders leak that, when asked if there could be any greater disaster than the neocon Ukraine project, President Biden responded, wait until you see our plan for the destruction of Taiwan,” Nixon wrote in a post on February 16 without providing any clarification about the sources. Therefore, the authenticity of his claims cannot be justified.

Former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislator Alex Tsai (蔡正元) shared Nixon’s post on Facebook with a Chinese-language translation.

“It has come to our attention that a certain Taiwanese politician quoted from a reportedly famous radio talk show host in Washington, who said that the White House has a plan to destroy Taiwan,” the ministry said in a statement. “Such information is unverified and false, as Taiwan-US relations continue to grow in a positive direction, and US officials repeatedly pledge to support Taiwan and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”

“We want to remind people to beware of messages from certain individuals expressing anti-US sentiments or those questioning the US’ commitment to defend Taiwan, as they will take advantage of every opportunity to spread false information using sensational content,” it said. “They often echo the rhetoric that China uses for cognitive warfare to erode Taiwanese confidence in the US and damage the Taiwan-US partnerships.”

US reportedly planning to send 200 troops to Taiwan for special training​

Amid rising tensions between the US and China, it has come to light that Washington is preparing to send around 200 soldiers to Taiwan for special training. According to the Sputnik report, the training will be held for an expansion of the small but controversial US Marine contingent of 30 stationed in Taiwan.

Notably, the Chinese government has strongly opposed US troops on the island, as Beijing sees Taiwan as part of Chinese territory, which is now being supported by western countries.

A look at ties between US and Taiwan​

The relationship between the United States and Taiwan is complex and multifaceted, shaped by historical, political, and economic factors. Taiwan is a democratic and prosperous island nation located off the southeastern coast of China, and the US has maintained unofficial diplomatic relations with Taiwan since 1979, when it switched official recognition from Taiwan to China.

Despite not having official diplomatic relations, the US has maintained strong ties with Taiwan over the years, providing it with economic, military, and political support. The US is Taiwan's second-largest trading partner and its main source of arms, and the two countries also cooperate on a range of issues, including counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and regional security.

However, the US-Taiwan relationship has also been a source of tension with China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly threatened to use force to reunify the island with the mainland. The US's support for Taiwan is seen as a challenge to China's claim, and Beijing has responded by increasing military pressure on Taiwan, conducting regular military exercises and sending fighter jets and ships to circle the island.

The US has sought to balance its support for Taiwan with its desire to maintain stable relations with China, which is a major economic and geopolitical power. In recent years, the US has taken steps to strengthen its ties with Taiwan, including selling arms to Taiwan, increasing high-level diplomatic contacts, and passing legislation to support Taiwan's international participation.

The Biden administration has continued to maintain a strong stance on Taiwan, affirming its commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act and supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations, including the World Health Organization. The US has also increased its military presence in the region, conducting regular naval exercises and sending high-level officials to visit Taiwan.

China says US must provide a clear explanation of 'plan for the destruction of Taiwan'

These statements comes at a time when tensions between US and China are already tense, due to the spy balloon incident.

www.republicworld.com

Wow, Chinese quoting Indian news articles to support their agenda. Should I post other articles from the same outlet on China?

 

[casual]

Wow, Chinese quoting Indian news articles to support their agenda. Should I post other articles from the same outlet on China?

It's Indian?

 

[Skull and Bones]

It's Indian?

Read Latest News, News Today, Breaking News, India News and Current News on Politics, Bollywood and Sports.

Stay informed with today’s latest news from India & around the world. Get all the breaking news & current Indian news on politics, sports and entertainment only on Republic World. We provide the most in-depth coverage of top national news with timely breaking of all the recent news on politics...

www.republicworld.com

 

[White and Green with M/S]

Russian equipment, US equipment all made in Taiwan

Guess in what movie this phrase had???

 

[epebble]

Russian equipment, US equipment all made in Taiwan

Guess in what movie this phrase had???

That is what everyone thinks. I was surprised to see this in yesterday's news:

American company accused of violating sanctions, doing business with Russian arms industry

Russia's economy depends on revenues from oil exports and American sanctions have been tuned up to choke its war effort against Ukraine. But there’s one area important to the Kremlin’s military output that has so far avoided scrutiny. It involves Haas Automation, a high tech American...

www.pbs.org

 

[etylo]

China should destroy US bases and factories if thats what they are going to do to Taiwan, Chinese territory.

 

[VCheng]

But US WILL do that regardless.

Such destruction will happen only if China attacks, and imposes war on Taiwan. No attack, no destruction. The onus is 100% on China, not USA.

 

[Zsari]

Such destruction will happen only if China attacks, and imposes war on Taiwan. No attack, no destruction. The onus is 100% on China, not USA.

Lol, it certainly brings warmth and assurance to people living on the island. The best part is that this doesn't even affect China.

 

[VCheng]

Lol, it certainly brings warmth and assurance to people living on the island. The best part is that this doesn't even affect China.

Obviously, the Taiwanese would be the ones to determine the way they wish to live on their island. If China imposes war on them, they can always ask their friends for help. If it doesn't affect China, why would China attack to usurp Taiwanese freedom?

 

[Zsari]

Obviously, the Taiwanese would be the ones to determine the way they wish to live on their island. If China imposes war on them, they can always ask their friends for help. If it doesn't affect China, why would China attack to usurp Taiwanese freedom?

But they don't get to decide when and if their company gets blown up by the US. Oh the twist and turn, as if they are the one asking for the destruction of TSMC.

 

[beijingwalker]

Obviously, the Taiwanese would be the ones to determine the way they wish to live on their island. If China imposes war on them, they can always ask their friends for help. If it doesn't affect China, why would China attack to usurp Taiwanese freedom?

They have less and less "friends"