Taiwan's semiconductor industry is in the limelight, or perhaps in the "crosshairs." As a leader, Taiwan's semiconductor industry must consider various key issues that will affect the future of the industry and develop various strategies with itself as the core.
Under the G2 (US-China) big picture, we start to develop industrial strategies based on understanding of the international situation and industrial trends, and try to find a new industrial positioning for Taiwan. Only through in-depth research and understanding can we set the tone for the industrial strategy. For the next 10 or 20 years, it is important that we plan a set of industrial development blueprints and form a consensus for industrial development.
Taiwan is "small," but its "target" is clear. And its core industry is semiconductor. We cannot keep joking that "the lack of consensus is the biggest consensus." Times have changed and the development model of the industry must keep pace with the times.
In implementing the industrial development strategy, Taiwan needs to consider two different paths: "vertical deepening" and "horizontal expansion." A leading industry should have a clear path of industrial development, and accordingly develop international cooperation strategies to find an appropriate development model. For example, the so-called third-generation semiconductors, or deep tech can be combined with in-memory computing (IMC), artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum technology, in the search of a future development model of the industry.
In terms of horizontal expansion, Taiwan needs to know the limits of its industrial development and use its current advantages to lay out the mechanism for international cooperation. The cooperation between Taiwan and the United States in the semiconductor industry is currently the most successful industrial development model in the world. From the initial PC to the current semiconductor industry, Taiwan has been a pivotal strategic partner of the US, although in the past, it was the Americans who asked questions and the Taiwanese who answered them.
But now, Taiwan has found a unique model for semiconductor development, and must find a way to have a dialogue with the US, instead of playing the role of a responder in a one-way fashion in the PC and mobile era. Taiwan has three different modes of semiconductor strategy in the face of the US: offering technical support, making sacrifices, and making proposals. If we keep our mouth shut, the Americans would take it for granted and put forward a lot of demands, which is not the best way for trying to create a win-win situation.
Not only the US, but also Japan, the EU and even India have made requests or expect to form alliances with Taiwan, and various rumors have been circulating, even saying that "if Taiwanese companies invest in semiconductor plants in India, a free trade agreement between Taiwan and India" can be discussed. Could that be possible? I don't believe it. The cooperation between Taiwan and India will not start with the semiconductor manufacturing, and if we can't build a semiconductor ecosystem, what is the use of going to India for production?
Without a good industrial strategy, or constant discussion and updating of competitive strategies and information, it is not impossible for Taiwan to be cornered.
