TSMC's Arizona project result of political coercion

Months after Taiwan's pioneer chipmaker TSMC moved to Arizona under pressure from the United States, The New York Times reported a series of problems it faces such as high maintenance costs, mismanagement and shortage of raw materials. Some of its staff members even alleged they were being paid less than their US colleagues; there was disparity in leave too.

All this has prompted a former member of Taiwan's "legislative yuan" to express anger. Alex Tsai Cheng-yuan, who served in the "yuan" from 2008 to 2016, even feared that the US might bomb TSMC if its employees refused to shift to the US, echoing a report in the US media in October that said the US plans to bomb TSMC if the Chinese mainland reunification with Taiwan happens.

Tsai has in a way pointed out how the US treats the island — like a sacrificial pawn. TSMC is Taiwan's most valuable asset, but for the US that's something dispensable. If needed, the US will move it to its own territory; if the move doesn't help, it won't think twice before dumping it.