On Monday, President Donald Trump announced that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. will invest $100 billion in the United States and open an additional manufacturing factory in Arizona. Semiconductors are vital for operating smartphones and artificial intelligence, and Taiwan has long dominated the industry.

Their chip superiority is perhaps the main reason China and its leader, Xi Jinping, want Taiwan back under China’s control.

Former Trump deputy national security advisor Victoria Coates explains the national security significance of President Trump’s deal with TSMC, the world's biggest semiconductor company, and how it and the potential Ukraine rare mineral deal shows the Trump administration’s approach to creating global influence.

Photo Credit: AP

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