Cell Phones, Cars, Coffee Makers All at Risk: The China-US 'Chip War' Over Taiwan Could Change Everything

COVID disruptions to the global supply chain revealed the world's largest tech battle is for semiconductors, the key to dominating international technology and computing power. 

Semiconductor chips are basically the brains of modern electronics. You might be surprised that the United States isn't the world leader in this multi-billion-dollar industry – it's not even second. The U.S. government's goal is simply to stay ahead of China. Experts are calling it the 'chip war,' and Taiwan is stuck at the center of this fight for the world's most critical technology. 

"When we look at the world's most advanced chips, Taiwan makes 92% of them," said Gordon G. Chang, PhD., author of The Great U.S.-China Tech War. "Matter of fact, one company in Taiwan makes 92%, and the other 8% are in South Korea." 

The small island of Taiwan clearly dominates the world's semiconductor market. The single manufacturer Chang refers to is TSMC, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company – and Apple is its biggest customer. Tufts University Associate Professor, Chris Miller authored Chip War, The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology. He tells CBN News the Taiwanese company's dominance in semiconductors makes OPEC's 40% share of world oil production pale by comparison.