US Congressman: Taiwan Chip Shortage Would Cause Unimaginable Catastrophe; US Must Respond to Gray Zone Tactics

(Central News) - US Representative Eugene Vindman stated today in Washington that advanced chip production will remain geographically close to China for the foreseeable future. If the US cannot access Taiwanese chips, it will face the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, and the US and its allies must respond to China's gray zone tactics against Taiwan.

Democratic Representative Eugene Vindman, speaking via video at the "16th South China Sea Conference" held at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, warned of the challenges posed by gray zone tactics against Taiwan and the need for the US and its allies to respond.

Vindman cited an assessment from Bloomberg Economics earlier this year, stating that a conflict in the Taiwan Strait would reduce global GDP by $10 trillion, more than double the losses from the 2008 global financial crisis. Taiwan, particularly TSMC, produces over 90% of the world's advanced chips. Regardless of how many chip factories the US builds, advanced chip production will remain within a hundred miles east of China for the foreseeable future.

He stated that US-China competition remains the top priority of US foreign policy, and a crisis in Taiwan would lead to both economic and financial crises. Considering the cost of war, imagine the consequences if China were to cut off chip supply routes. If the US cannot access Taiwanese chips, it would be the most significant economic crisis since the Great Depression, leading to unimaginable catastrophe.

Vindman pointed out that Chinese President Xi Jinping is slowly escalating gray zone tactics to force a US response. The US must prepare, for example, by considering how to respond if the China Coast Guard were to announce customs inspections for all vessels entering Taiwan.

He noted that weeks after President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing in May, China conducted special patrols in the waters east of Taiwan and reportedly intercepted merchant ships. China could also claim, based on customs regulations, to require flight plans from aircraft entering and exiting Taiwan, and possibly even implement quarantine measures.

Vindman said, "This is not war, nor is it a blockade. It is a serious provocation, and the US and its allies must respond, but there are few strategies to counter gray zone tactics."

He emphasized that for decades, the US has followed a One China policy and strategic ambiguity, allowing it to support Taiwan without necessarily provoking China. The US commitment to Taiwan's de facto independence remains clear. (Editor: Chen Hui-ping) 8)

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