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Newsweek
22-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Democratic Rep.: To Safeguard America's Future, We Need To Safeguard Taiwan's
Did you know that most Americans can't find Taiwan on a map? That may sound like a joke, but unfortunately, it's not. A 2022 Morning Consult poll found that only 34 percent of Americans could correctly identify Taiwan's location. Some even thought it was in the Arctic Circle. Taiwan may not be top of mind for most Americans, but it should be—because the future of our prosperity, our security, and our democratic values is deeply tied to the future of Taiwan. The contrast between both sides of the Taiwan Strait, between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a stark one. Taiwan is a vibrant and free democracy. On the other side of the Taiwan Strait, in contrast, Xi Jinping wields supreme power over all matters of state. Taiwan is governed by the will of the people; the PRC is governed by the will of one man. A Taiwan flag is seen at a harbor in Keelung on April 1, 2025. A Taiwan flag is seen at a harbor in Keelung on April 1, 2025. I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images But Taiwan is more than just a beacon of freedom—it's one of America's most important economic partners. In fact, it's our seventh-largest trading partner and a critical customer for American farmers. Taiwan is the No. 2 importer of Illinois corn and No. 3 importer of Illinois soybeans. On a per capita basis, Taiwan buys 47 times more wheat than China. And Taiwanese companies like TSMC are investing billions to build advanced semiconductor fabs right here in the U.S.—securing our tech future and creating American jobs. This is not charity. It's strategic partnership. Taiwan supports American jobs. Taiwanese investment strengthens our supply chains. And Taiwan's democracy serves as a counterweight to the rising authoritarianism of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). But that partnership is under threat. Xi has ordered the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. PLA warplanes violated Taiwan's airspace more than 3,000 times last year. In response to Taiwan's elections, the PLA staged military drills simulating a blockade and missile strikes. Any conflict over Taiwan is incredibly dangerous. A war over Taiwan could wipe $10 trillion off global GDP and plunge the U.S. into a deep depression. So what do we do? We must stand with Taiwan. Not to provoke conflict, but to deter it. Peace across the Taiwan Strait is not just a regional concern; it's an American interest. The Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the CCP recently held a hearing titled "Deterrence Amid Rising Tensions: Preventing CCP Aggression on Taiwan." We heard from former Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, who reminded us that Taiwan is not just important—it's indispensable. Taiwan produces more than 90 percent of the world's most advanced semiconductors, supports American farmers, and acts as an international example of freedom and democracy. Campbell also emphasized that Taiwan's fate is being closely watched by our allies—from Japan and South Korea to our NATO allies. If authoritarianism triumphs in Taiwan, it could embolden aggression elsewhere. We see this clearly with China's enabling and support of Russia in its deadly war in Ukraine. Supporting Taiwan, Campbell argued, is not just good policy—it's a global credibility test for the United States. The military balance in the Taiwan Strait has shifted. The PLA now fields a force that vastly outnumbers Taiwan's—and it continues to rehearse amphibious invasions, missile strikes, and blockades. But Taiwan still holds advantages: geography, a strong civil society, and—most importantly—deepening ties with the United States and our allies. That's why we need to act now. The U.S. should expedite arms deliveries to Taiwan, especially asymmetric defenses like sea mines, anti-ship missiles, and drones. We should strengthen Taiwan's food and energy reserves, boost military and disaster relief training programs, and deepen economic ties—especially in agriculture, energy, and tech. The Taiwan Relations Act, passed in 1979, declared that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are in America's interest—and that any attempt to determine Taiwan's future by force is "of grave concern" to the United States. That bipartisan law still guides us today and inspires new legislation like the Six Assurances to Taiwan Act and Taiwan Allies Fund Act, which I'm proud to lead in Congress. We are in a decisive moment. The Select Committee's hearing made clear that deterrence is only credible if it's bipartisan, sustained, and backed by real investment. That's why I'm working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure the U.S. is prepared—not for a war, but to prevent one. In a world growing more dangerous by the day, Taiwan remains one of our best friends. It's time we treated it that way. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi serves as ranking member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party and represents Illinois' 8th Congressional District. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Forbes
19-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Nvidia And Foxconn Announce ‘AI Factory' For Supercomputer In Taiwan
Nvidia cofounder and CEO Jensen Huang delivering the opening keynote speech of Computex 2025 in Taipei, Taiwan. I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images Amid an intensifying global race for cutting-edge AI technologies, billionaire Jensen Huang's semiconductor design giant Nvidia and billionaire Terry Gou's contract electronics maker Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) announced they will partner with the Taiwanese government to build an 'AI factory supercomputer.' To develop the supercomputer, Nvidia will supply 10,000 Blackwell GPUs – the world's most advanced chips for generative AI, part of the company's next-generation GB300 systems – while Foxconn will provide AI infrastructure through its subsidiary, Big Innovation Company, as an Nvidia cloud partner. The resulting facility aims to 'significantly expand AI computing availability' for researchers and enterprises, including the Taiwan National Science and Technology Council and billionaire Morris Chang's Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC). 'AI has ignited a new industrial revolution — science and industry will be transformed,' said Huang, cofounder and CEO at Nvidia, in a statement. 'We are delighted to partner with Foxconn and Taiwan to help build Taiwan's AI infrastructure, and to support TSMC and other leading companies to advance innovation in the age of AI and robotics.' Often billed as the future of computing, AI supercomputers are powered by finely tuned hardware consisting of hundreds of thousands of processors, or cores. Supported by specialized, high-speed networks and vast amounts of storage, these processors can work in parallel to perform calculations at speeds and scales far beyond those of everyday computers. One prominent example is Hewlett Packard Enterprise's (HPE) Frontier supercomputer, which can perform a quintillion (1,000,000,000,000,000,000) calculations per second – over a million times more than the number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy. While not explicitly designed for AI workloads, Frontier can help scientists complete complex AI-powered tasks, such as modeling the lifespans of nuclear reactors or simulating the interactions of subatomic particles in elements. 'By harnessing advanced AI infrastructure, we empower our researchers to accelerate breakthroughs in semiconductor technology, enabling next-generation solutions for our customers and the world,' said C.C. Wei, chairman and CEO of TSMC, in a statement. 'Leveraging this AI factory reinforces our commitment to pushing the limits of AI-driven innovation.' The AI supercomputer collaboration comes as Foxconn, the largest supplier of Apple, has launched other initiatives with Nvidia while attempting to wean its reliance on Chinese manufacturing. Ahead of Taiwan's annual Computex electronics trade show and conference, it announced the debut of its 'Nvidia-accelerated' nursing robot, Nurabot, which aims to help hospital staff transport medication and samples in facilities across Taiwan. Last Thursday, Foxconn received approval from India's cabinet for a joint venture with billionaire Shiv Nadar's IT hardware giant HCL Group to build a 37 billion rupees ($435 million) semiconductor plant in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Announced in a cabinet briefing, the new plant is slated to be operational by 2027. Taiwan, home to several key players in the semiconductor supply chain, has long supplied most of the world's semiconductors. Aside from TSMC, the world's largest semiconductor foundry, other leading companies include Tsai Ming-kai's Mediatek, which designs chips for both generative and edge AI, and billionaire Archie Hwang's Hermes-Epitek, which specializes in optoelectronic equipment used to make advanced microprocessors.
Newsweek
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
HIMARS Unleashed in Taiwan as China Watches On
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Taiwan, a self-ruled island under China's threat of force, conducted its first live-fire exercise with the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) supplied by the United States. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters Communist China has claimed that Taiwan is an "inalienable part" of its territory, while its leader, President Xi Jinping, has vowed that China will "never promise to renounce the use of force" against the sovereign democracy, a U.S. security partner in the Indo-Pacific region. The U.S. has maintained an unofficial relationship with Taiwan, after establishing diplomatic ties with China in 1979. Washington has also continued to supply "defensive weapons" to Taipei under the Taiwan Relations Act, making it the island's largest source of foreign arms. What To Know The Taiwanese military on Monday conducted a live-fire drill at Jiupeng Base in southern Pingtung County, marking the debut of the HIMARS on the island and demonstrating its "rapid deployment and next-generation strike capabilities," Taipei's defense ministry said. Taiwan's Central News Agency reported that 11 HIMARS launchers participated in the drill, each firing three rockets. Taiwan ordered a total of 29 launchers from the U.S., with the first 11 delivered last year and the remaining scheduled for delivery next year, the report added. According to U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin, each HIMARS launcher can fire two types of munitions: either six Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets or a single ATACMS ballistic missile, formally known as the Army Tactical Missile System. The GMLRS rocket, armed with a 200-pound warhead, has a range of over 43 miles, while the ATACMS missile can strike targets up to 186 miles away with a 500-pound warhead. The HIMARS, which has proven its effectiveness in Ukraine's war against Russia, could be deployed to target Fujian—a Chinese province facing Taiwan—in the event of a conflict across the 110-mile-wide Taiwan Strait, a strategic waterway separating China and Taiwan. The Taiwanese military conducts its first High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) live-fire test launch at Jiupeng Base in Pingtung County on May 12, 2025. The Taiwanese military conducts its first High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) live-fire test launch at Jiupeng Base in Pingtung County on May 12, 2025. I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images Citing Taiwanese Army Colonel Ho Chih-chung, who is the deputy commander of the 58th Artillery Command, Lockheed Martin has also dispatched its personnel to Jiupeng Base to assist with technical issues during the live-fire exercise, the Central News Agency reported. What People Are Saying The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said: "[Taiwan] will use this capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen homeland defense. Acquisition of HIMARS will contribute to [Taiwan's] goal of updating its military capability while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies." The Chinese Defense Ministry said: "We urge the U.S. side to ... immediately stop arming Taiwan ... Several pieces of U.S. weaponry won't be the magic straw that can save a drowning man; they are nothing but easy targets on the battlefields." Lockheed Martin said: "Adversaries around the globe are becoming more sophisticated ... The Lockheed Martin HIMARS is a strategic capability, improving homeland and important asset defense while reducing overall mission costs." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether Taiwan will place additional orders for HIMARS, as the U.S. had suggested the island increase its defense spending to help deter a Chinese attack.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AMD stock whipsaws as Wall Street balances better than anticipated Q1 results with AI uncertainty
AMD's (AMD) stock whipsawed in early trading Wednesday morning, as investors digested the company's better than anticipated Q1 earnings report and stronger than expected outlook Tuesday. But analysts were torn on AMD's path forward, with Bank of America upgrading the company to a Buy and others like Jefferies lowering their price target on the firm on concerns about AI growth for the year. Shares of AMD jumped as much as 4.9% at the start of trading on Wednesday before paring gains and dropping back to below 1%. For the quarter, the AI chipmaker and Nvidia rival saw adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.96 on revenue of $7.4 billion, ahead of analysts' expectations of $0.94 on revenue of $7.1 billion, based on Bloomberg consensus estimates. The company reported EPS of $0.62 and revenue of $5.4 billion in the same quarter last year. The company also said it anticipates Q2 revenue of between $7.1 billion and $7.7 billion. Analysts were anticipating $7.2 billion. Analyst Vivek Arya cited AMD's "strong" sales outlook for the second quarter "despite China headwinds." Arya raised his price target on AMD shares to $120, while shares traded around the $100 level Wednesday morning. In April, AMD, like Nvidia (NVDA), announced that the Trump administration instituted tighter export controls on AI chips destined for China. The move effectively cuts off AMD's ability to ship its MI308 AI processor to the region, and, according to the company, might result in as much as an $800 million charge on inventory, purchase commitments, and related reserves. AI chip companies are also staring down the government's AI diffusion rules, which would require certain countries to acquire special licenses to gain access to a limited number of US AI chips. 'Despite the dynamic macro and regulatory environment, our first quarter results and second quarter outlook highlight the strength of our differentiated product portfolio and consistent execution positioning us well for strong growth in 2025,' AMD CEO Lisa Su said in a statement. Lisa Su, chairwoman and CEO of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), delivers the opening keynote speech at Computex 2024, Taiwan's premier tech expo, in Taipei on June 3, 2024. (Photo by I-Hwa CHENG / AFP) (Photo by I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images) · I-HWA CHENG via Getty Images AMD's earnings results follow rival Intel's (INTC) report, which saw the company beat on the top and bottom lines but issue lighter-than-anticipated revenue guidance in the second quarter. At the time, Intel CFO David Zinsner blamed the 'current macro environment' for creating 'elevated uncertainty across the industry.' Nvidia (NVDA) will report its earnings on May 28. AMD's Data Center segment revenue topped $3.7 billion, versus expectations of $3.6 billion. The segment generated $2.3 billion in Q1 last year.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Taiwan bicycle makers in limbo as US tariff threat looms
Workers check bicycle wheels at a Joy Group factory in Taichung on April 24, 2025 (I-HWA CHENG) Weeks after Donald Trump's global tariff bombshell, Jeff Chen's factory in Taiwan is as busy as ever turning out carbon and alloy wheels for high-end bicycles bound for US and European markets. But he wonders how much longer it will last. The US president's initial 32 percent tariff on Taiwan stunned the island's bicycle manufacturers, who were racing to meet orders ahead of the northern summer before the new toll was announced. Some US customers immediately cancelled or postponed shipments, only to reverse their decision when the hefty tariffs on Taiwan and many of America's trading partners were paused for 90 days. With a global 10 percent levy still in place and no clarity on what happens once the three months are up, Taiwanese bicycle companies and US buyers are in limbo. "They don't know what to do. There's no time to respond," said Chen, general manager of Joy Group, which makes wheels and hubs in Taichung. Joy Group, founded by Chen's grandfather in 1971, is one of more than 900 companies assembling bicycles or making components, including wheels, pedals and frames, mostly in central Taiwan, the island's manufacturing heartland. Some companies have received a surge in orders as US customers rush to import bicycles and components before the end of the 90-day period. Others, like Joy Group, have seen little change in demand, which Chen put down to inventory leftover from Covid-19, when retailers stocked up to meet surging demand for bicycles. Chen said US customers had passed on the 10 percent tariff to consumers, but a 32 percent levy could put the brakes on further orders, with inevitable knock-on effects in Taiwan. - 'Hidden champions' - "If we are getting affected, then the company would need to think how to cut down... everybody will be facing the same issues," said Chen, whose company also has four factories in China. Taiwan has long been a key player in the global bicycle industry, but it faced an existential crisis more than two decades ago when an ascendant China drew many of the island's manufacturers to its shores. Rather than try to compete with China's cheaper, mass-produced two-wheelers, Taiwanese companies collaborated to upgrade their manufacturing techniques and produce quality bikes and components for high-end markets, mainly in Europe and the United States. While Taiwan's export volume has fallen dramatically from around 10 million in the 1990s to 1.3 million in 2024, exacerbated by the pandemic glut, the average export price of its bicycles has risen sharply.
