Dr. Jeremy Chih-Cheng Chang, CEO of DSET, recently appeared on Taiwanology, a podcast by CommonWealth Magazine, where he was interviewed by senior editor Liu Guangying. In the discussion, Dr. Chang analyzed the strategic significance of TSMC’s expanding investment in the United States and Taiwan’s critical role in the U.S.-China technological rivalry. He described Taiwan’s semiconductor industry as “walking a tightrope,” illustrating both the challenges and opportunities ahead.
A Career in Taiwan’s Technology Policy Research
During the interview, Dr. Chang shared his academic and professional background. In 2009, he pursued a Ph.D. in law in Japan and later taught at Kyoto University. From 2017 to 2018, he was selected as a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University. It was during this pivotal year at Harvard that he witnessed the U.S.-China trade war escalates into a full-scale technology competition, making him realize that “the global order has fundamentally changed.”
Upon returning to Japan, Dr. Chang shifted his focus to the think tank sector, holding key positions in government-affiliated research institutions specializing in geopolitics and economic security. At the end of 2023, he returned to Taiwan to lead DSET as its CEO.
“As the world increasingly discussed Taiwan and semiconductors, I thought—maybe it was time to come home. To return to the country where I was born and raised, and contribute to Taiwan,” Dr. Chang stated.
DSET: A Think Tank Focused on Tech Policy and Geopolitics
Explaining DSET’s positioning, Dr. Chang said, “We are a think tank dedicated to technology policy and geopolitical issues. Over the past few years, Taiwan has quietly become the focal point of global geopolitics. People are now discussing TSMC’s significance, the potential disruptions Taiwan’s situation could bring to global supply chains, and what the future of technology would look like without semiconductors.”
He emphasized that DSET operates on a core belief: “Democracy must be the highest value.” Despite being established only a year and a half ago, DSET has quickly become a leading platform for technology policy research in Taiwan. It actively collaborates with major think tanks in allied nations, publishing policy reports, sharing Taiwan’s experiences at international conferences, and studying how emerging technologies influence Taiwan’s foreign relations.
TSMC’s U.S. Expansion: Taiwan Walking a Tightrope
Regarding TSMC’s recent announcement to invest at least $100 billion in the U.S. and expand its operations in Arizona, Dr. Chang explained that this decision is driven not only by the needs of American clients but also by U.S. concerns over national security, job losses in manufacturing, and bipartisan support for reindustrialization.
“Semiconductors are everywhere. Human civilization is becoming increasingly digital. We need semiconductors in all electronic devices—smartphones, computers, refrigerators, cars, and more,” Dr. Chang explained. While globalization has shaped supply chain structures for decades, disruptive innovations like AI are fundamentally reshaping the geopolitical landscape.
“Today, semiconductor chips are viewed as the most valuable strategic resource for future technology,” he noted. “That’s why everyone is now talking about economic security.”
Taiwan’s Political and Economic Future: Coexisting with the Democratic Supply Chain
In response to concerns that TSMC’s overseas expansion might weaken Taiwan’s “silicon shield,” Dr. Chang offered a different perspective. He argued that deepening interdependence with the U.S. could, in fact, strengthen Taiwan’s national interests.
“Increasing interdependence ultimately aligns with Taiwan’s national interests. If we expand capacity in the U.S., and TSMC remains the sole supplier of advanced chips to all major American tech companies, it means the U.S. and Taiwan will collaborate even more closely on cutting-edge technological advancements. The U.S. cannot do without Taiwan, and Taiwan cannot do without the U.S.—this mutual dependency ultimately serves Taiwan’s national interests, encompassing both national security and economic growth.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Chang believes Taiwan will continue to play a critical role in global supply chains. “Taiwan excels at manufacturing high-value-added intermediate products for its customers. Our supply chain is highly adaptable, capable of meeting and adjusting to customer demands. This is ingrained in our culture and reflects how Taiwan has developed its industries and economy.”
Dr. Chang described Taiwan’s current situation as “walking a tightrope,” which was also the title of DSET’s timely policy report following Trump’s election victory, highlighting that geopolitics “has no endgame script.”
“We have no choice but to keep running. The situation will evolve more frequently. The U.S. is striving to reclaim its ability to manufacture the most advanced semiconductors, while China is racing to catch up. We must keep running forward, and we need more wisdom to navigate this landscape,” he concluded.