Arizona governor arrives in Taiwan to woo semiconductor suppliers

Doug Ducey’s visit comes a week after a similar trip by his Indiana counterpart as American states compete to attract investment from chip manufacturers

Taiwanese chip giant TSMC is building a US$12 billion plant in the southwestern state, where Intel also plans to add factories

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Arizona Governor Doug Ducey will meet Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and semiconductor industry representatives during a trip to Taiwan this week. Photo: AP

Published: 8:46pm, 30 Aug 2022Updated: 10:50pm, 30 Aug 2022

Arizona governor Doug Ducey arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday for a visit focused on semiconductors, the critical chips used in everyday electronics that the island manufactures.

Ducey is on a mission to woo suppliers for the new US$12 billion Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (TSMC) plant being built in the state. He is travelling with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce president and the head of the state’s economic development agency.

Ducey will meet Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, business leaders and university representatives in the semiconductor industry, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

American states are competing to attract a multibillion-dollar wave of investment in chip factories as the US government steps up spending on expanding the country’s semiconductor industry with a recently passed law. Last week, the Indiana governor visited Taiwan for a similar purpose.

US officials worry that the country relies too heavily on Taiwan and other Asian suppliers for processor chips used in smartphones, medical devices, cars and most other electronic devices.

Those worries have been aggravated by tensions with Beijing over technology and security. The potential for disruption was highlighted by chips shortages due to the coronavirus pandemic that sent shock waves through the car and electronics industries.

Taiwan produces more than half the global supply of high-end processor chips.