Taiwan’s Critical Impact on the U.S. Supply Chain

By The Hon. Susan M. Gordon

The Hon. Susan M. Gordon is a retired career intelligence officer having spent more than 27 years at the CIA, serving as Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and as the fifth Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI), a Congressionally-approved position, before retiring from government service.  In 1998, she designed and drove the formation of In-Q-Tel, a private, non-profit company whose primary purpose is to deliver innovative technology solutions for the agency and the IC.  She currently serves on a number of boards, including the Defense Innovation Board and is a partner at Gordon Ventures.

Taiwanese factories produce much of the world’s computer chip and semi-conductor supplies that are used in a variety of products from smartphones to medical equipment. Taken without context, that may not seem cause for concern, but when you consider Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent push for his country to make progress toward reunification with Taiwan, and China’s aggressive military stand toward Taiwan over the past several months, a different national security picture emerges; one with serious implications for the U.S.’ critical supply chain.

The Cipher Brief recently focused on Where Taiwan’s Military Buildup is Headed and this week, we’re focusing on Taiwan’s strategic role in the manufacturing of semi-conductors and how that is impacting future investment by both the U.S. and China in diversifying their supply chains.

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