Changing Global Semiconductor Landscape and Taiwan, EU and UK’s Global Role
This insightful panel explored how the UK and EU can carve out a strategic role in the rapidly shifting global semiconductor landscape, shaped by Taiwan’s leadership and the increasing decentralization of manufacturing.
Key Highlights by Speaker
Colley Hwang – Founder & President | DIGITIMES
- Emphasized Europe’s urgent need to become a semiconductor manufacturing hub, citing TSMC’s expansion into Germany as a concrete example.
- Advocated for regionalized and decentralized semiconductor manufacturing as a long-term strategy for resilience.
- Noted Taiwan’s success was built over 50 years through strategic focus, not scale—an approach other regions can learn from.
“Regionalize is the future,” Hwang stated, underscoring the importance of localized ecosystems over centralized mega-fabs.
UK-Specific Discussion 🇬🇧
Josh Liu – Co-Founder & Director | Semi Ventures
- Semiconductors are part of a broader industrial strategy to be released shortly.
- Introduced “ChipStart” initiative for nurturing the next generation of UK-based chip startups.
- Called for manufacturing capacity growth in the UK, while recognizing it won’t rival Taiwan in scale.
- Stressed the importance of sector-specific focus, e.g., aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity.
Tim Kay – Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser | Department for Business and Trade
- Highlighted a £6 billion investment in R&D, universities, and digital skills to boost the UK’s semiconductor competitiveness.
- Argued for specialization rather than replication, recommending that the UK double down on sectors where it has permission to win.
Dr Jalal Bagherli CBE – Co-Chair UK Semiconductor Policy Advisory Panel
The UK’s strength lies in differentiated manufacturing, including:
- Compound semiconductors
- Photonics
- Flexible electronics (e.g., Pragmatic Semiconductors)
Emphasized the need to “plug into the global semiconductor network” and focus on areas like AI, where demand is rapidly growing.
Sue Daley – Director, Technology & Innovation | techUK
- Urged the UK to turn national semiconductor strategy into action quickly to maintain momentum.
- Expressed cautious optimism, noting the UK's leadership in design, IP, and AI infrastructure.
- Reiterated the need for global partnerships, especially with Taiwan.
“There’s real momentum—we need to stay agile and invest where we can lead.”
EU-Specific Discussion 🇪🇺
Martin Partl – Director of UK and Ireland Operations | CzechInvest
- Outlined a long-term semiconductor initiative independent of government cycles.
- Building semiconductor clusters across 14 regions, focused on verticals like AI and automotive.
- Four Czech regions have made semiconductors a priority, especially in cross-border collaboration with Saxony (Germany).
- Czech model promotes interregional specialization, showing how smaller nations can contribute through cluster-based cooperation.
José Marino García – Executive Director of Capitalization | SETT (Spanish Society for Technological Transformation)
Shared a holistic EU vision emphasizing:
- Geopolitical security (resilience against external shocks)
- Tech sovereignty with strategic interdependencies (e.g., Taiwan)
- Environmental sustainability, through more efficient chip tech like photonics
Spain is contributing to:
- A financial facility to fund deep-tech startups
- EU-wide semiconductor projects (e.g., IPCEIs in AI, microelectronics, HPC)
- Integrated photonics value chain, with hubs in Barcelona and Valencia
- Believes in RISC-V as a customizable, open architecture for future growth
Cross-Cutting Themes & Action Points
- Focus on national strengths: Don’t replicate Taiwan or the U.S.—instead, specialize (e.g., photonics, compound semiconductors, design/IP).
- Invest in ecosystems: From education and R&D to startups and infrastructure.
- Push for partnerships: Especially between UK/EU and Taiwan.
- Decentralize manufacturing: Regional and resilient supply chains are the new norm.
- Leverage AI: Both as a semiconductor application and design accelerator.