US arms procurements will be based on Taiwan’s needs: minister

US arms procurements will be based on Taiwan’s needs: minister

2025-03-07

An op-ed recently published in Japan’s Nikkei Asia about the development of Taiwan-US relations. It mentioned now that President Donald Trump is back in the White House, Taiwan may face increased pressure to purchase more US-made weaponry. Not as part of a strategic framework but as a way to offset the US trade imbalance with Taiwan.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo responded by clarifying that the relevant weaponry and equipment procurements were based on Taiwan’s defense needs, and he did not feel that the US was deliberately pushing Taiwan to buy weapons it did not need. Elbridge Colby, the US nominee for undersecretary of defense for policy, says that Taiwan’s defense budget should be close to 10% of its GDP. Koo said he would follow his president’s directives and do his best to reach 3%, based on Taiwan’s actual defense needs and its fiscal budget,

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日媒稱台軍購為彌補"貿易失衡" 顧立雄澄清:都是基於防衛

2025-03-07

日媒《日經亞洲》刊登一篇評論，以看美國總統川普重回白宮後，台美關係的發展，分析台灣未來可能得購買更多美製武器，但並不是作為戰略框架一環。

國防部長顧立雄澄清，相關武器裝備的採購，都是基於防衛作戰，沒感受到美方故意塞我們不需要武器。而美國準國防次長柯伯吉喊話，台灣國防預算應該接近GDP的10%的建議，他則說會依總統指示，依照防衛作戰的實際需要，以及國家的財政預度，盡量達3%。

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C.C. Wei (March 6)
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Why are we expanding in the US? It is because of customer demand. As of now, this year’s on full schedule, so is next year. Even our production lines that will be built the year after will have orders to fulfill immediately. As for Taiwan, already we’re planning to add 11 production lines.

TSMC CEO C.C. Wei is stressing that expanding the company’s US investments is a result of huge customer demand and its true R&D center will remain in Hsinchu. In other words, TSMC’s advanced processes will remain in Taiwan. The opposition is still not buying this.

Eric Chu
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We saw yesterday that President Lai pushed TSMC CEO C.C. Wei to the front, which was tantamount to letting himself off the hook. But it was not to let Taiwan off the hook. After the six wafer fabs, two packaging plants and the R&D center are moved over, the entire function of the silicon shield will be greatly reduced, and the sacred mountains that protect the nation will be cut in half. The DPP is still focusing on political propaganda and party interests.

Cho Jung-tai
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TSMC has established plans in many municipalities in Taiwan. Some of them are already being implemented and some are in the planning process. For a long time to come, Taiwan will continue to ensure its leading position in critical technologies internationally.

The government has repeatedly assured that TSMC will not become an American “ASMC” and it would work on improving the investment environment in Taiwan.

Kuo Jyh-huei
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There is enough land. We are working hard for water and electricity, so they should be sufficient. The key technologies will definitely remain in Taiwan.

After TSMC and the Lai administration worked together to allay public concerns, TSMC’s share price flat-lined at NT$1,005 on Friday.

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Apple moves jobs back to the US

Apple announced it would spend US$500 billion in the US over the next four years and create 20,000 jobs, signaling its pro-US jobs and investment policy. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced that he would double tariffs on China, where most Apple products are made. VOA’s Michelle Quinn reports.

Many iPhones and other Apple products are made in China. In recent years, Apple has expanded its manufacturing into other countries such as Vietnam and India. But not so much to the United States.

That is changing. Apple said that over the next four years it would invest US$500 billion in the US — with plans that include building a Texas facility to manufacture artificial intelligence servers — and commit to creating 20,000 US jobs.

Apple’s announcement follows a meeting between CEO Tim Cook and President Donald Trump. The iPhone maker is among US firms recently announcing domestic investment and job creation.

Donald Trump
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They are going to build here instead because they don’t want to pay the tariffs.

In a social media post, Trump doubled the 10% universal tariff imposed on China, effective Tuesday.

Observers say that Apple’s move is part of its trend to diversify its supply chain and is not related to Trump’s tariffs on China.

Bill Reinsch
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They have been for some years in the process of moving production away from China anyway pre-tariff. There’s still a substantial amount in China. But there’s a trend here that’s clear, and I think Apple will continue that.

While much of Apple’s plans had been known, the company is signaling its pro-US jobs and investment policy, a priority for the Trump administration.

Ben Bajarin
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They are just taking the opportunity to use press releases to get some more public exposure for a lot of things they were already spending and obviously align well with a pro-US policy.

As part of its US investment, Apple said it would produce its advanced silicon chips in the Arizona plant of TSMC, the Taiwanese semiconductor firm.

Michelle Quinn, VOA News.

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Fans unbothered by lack of Taiwanese players on MLB poster

Team Taiwan will be playing at the 2026 World Baseball Classic Tournament in Tokyo. The 365-day countdown officially began Thursday, and America’s Major League Baseball released an official poster to mark the occasion. Although some may notice a lack of Taiwanese among the players on the poster, fans say it’s nothing to fret about since Team Taiwan still won Premier12 last year regardless. The reason may be because there aren’t any Taiwanese in Major League Baseball at the moment.

The poster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic Tournament came out on Thursday, noting the event was exactly 365 days away. But some may ask, why aren’t any Taiwanese among the players featured?

Baseball fan
Well, it’s organized by Major League Baseball. No need to dwell on it. I remember our players also weren’t featured on Premier12 last year, but we still came out on top.

Turns out, the reason may be because there aren’t any Taiwanese players in Major League Baseball at the moment; whereas other non-US players are, such as Japan’s Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto from the Dominican Republic. Of course there’s Team USA captain Mookie Betts right on top-center.

Tsai Chi-chang
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We’ll let the organizer know that we hope poster designs will feature players from every participating country. The World Baseball Classic is still quite commercialized. And teams from Asia will be playing at Tokyo Dome. I believe Taiwanese baseball fans will be a large customer base there.

On March 5 next year, Taiwan will first face off with Australia, followed by Japan, Czechia and South Korea in the following days. That makes Team Taiwan the only one to play four consecutive days.

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The only worry will be to have to play four days in a row. The athletes’ village will be right by Tokyo Dome, so transportation won’t be an issue. Like with Premier12, just pay more attention to the second day with Japan and the third day with Czechia. I believe the coaches will make the most of the roster. Our team should be at its best ever next year.

To advance into the quarterfinals, which will be held in the US, Team Taiwan will have to win at least three games in Tokyo.

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