The semiconductor industry, central to modern technology, has long been Taiwan’s strategic defense, often dubbed the “silicon shield.” Taiwan’s dominance in chip manufacturing, especially through the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), has provided it with a unique form of protection against potential Chinese aggression. However, TSMC’s recent moves to build factories in the US, Japan, and Germany are raising critical questions: Could this global expansion dilute Taiwan’s “silicon shield,” or is it a necessary adaptation to growing geopolitical pressures? What is Taiwan’s silico…