The Independent Voice of West Indies Cricket

TSMC pays Trump a $100 billion ‘protection fee’

sgtdjones 3/14/25, 12:27:44 AM
sgtdjones avatar image

debut: 2/16/17
38,890 runs

TSMC pays Trump a $100 billion ‘protection fee’


It was a surprise ceremony at the White House presided over by President Donald Trump to unveil a $100 billion investment from what he called the world’s most powerful company, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).But nearly 8,000 miles away, the mood was far from celebratory. Instead, the shock announcement last week has reignited fears in Taiwan about losing its crown jewel, its world-beating semiconductor industry, to the US due to political pressure.To reassure the public, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te appeared alongside TSMC CEO CC Wei last week at Taipei’s presidential office, saying the company’s US investment would not undermine its commitment to and planned expansion in its home base.

Weaponizing tariffs
TSMC’s $100 billion investment marks the latest in a wave of businesses committing massive sums to the US. But it stands out as one of the first major foreign firms to do so, and Trump claims more such investments are on the way.TSMC produces more than 90% of the world’s advanced microchips, which power everything from smartphones and artificial intelligence to weapons. That’s why many in Taiwan believe that global dependence on its semiconductors serves as a “silicon shield,” a deterrent against a potential Chinese invasion.

‘Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow’
Taiwan relies on US military and political support. Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the US is legally obligated to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself against a possible attack by China.Washington earlier this month abruptly suspended military aid to Ukraine following a heated exchange between Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, just hours after the cheerful TSMC ceremony.
- edited -
SEasySix 3/14/25, 12:53:34 PM
SEasySix avatar image

debut: 2/28/23
23 runs

In reply to sgtdjones

Win for America again??
carl0002 3/14/25, 2:06:23 PM
carl0002 avatar image

debut: 4/16/03
25,928 runs

That's after TSMC paid 5 million private dinner fee to sit with Trump, and he will have to pay another 5m to sit with him again to get exemptions from Tariffs. That's probably the last such investment announcement for a while cuz the US scaring off investors at the moment with tariff uncertainty but Trump using as decoy to line his pockets.
sgtdjones 3/14/25, 2:14:02 PM
sgtdjones avatar image

debut: 2/16/17
38,890 runs

In reply to carl0002

This microchip factory will not be built.

Just as in Trump's first tenure , numerous announcements of such were never built.

Just a facade
carl0002 3/14/25, 3:49:28 PM
carl0002 avatar image

debut: 4/16/03
25,928 runs

In reply to sgtdjones

Agreed. But he is shaking down these investors with fees to meet him personally at Mar-la-go prison facilities in order to get these announcement and now he is upsetting the business environment with all this tariff talk but the confusion he is creating is deliberate to act as both a decoy and to drive more clients to himself for a shakedown.
sgtdjones 3/15/25, 12:47:29 AM
sgtdjones avatar image

debut: 2/16/17
38,890 runs

In reply to carl0002

I was shown a letter that was sent to a friend that controls one of the largest construction companies in Canada.
He can meet with Trump for 25 million US dollars, a round table with ten guests, and Trump in Florida.
Once per month and such is booked for months in advance.

Such is illegal in America, but laws don't apply to Trump.