Nothing about my comment implies they’d have to. The US just wants supply chain security and availability. That can be done by TSMC factories in the US regardless of where else they have factories.

not really. the US cares a lot more about Taiwan if they are making the chips for the US. a sizable part of Taiwan's national defense strategy is to have a benevolent monopoly on cutting edge chip production so their allies think it's worth it to fight a war with China if necessary.

Yes, that is the current state. I was entertaining a future scenario above. TSMC is currently building more capacity outside of Taiwan, and the US is making investments that will likely continue this.

But they're not doing investments that will entirely replace Taiwan's relevance. The bulk of their top tier technology will remain in Taiwan, and I would be very surprised to see that change. Moving some production to the US to alleviate worst-case scenarios for Washington, yes, but moving enough that Taiwan's defense becomes irrelevant? I really don't think so.

I mean, if you were TSMC's CEO/Board, knowing full well that your country of birth is highly dependent on your presence for its defense posture, would you do allow this to change?