Governor Ducey to focus on semiconductors in Taiwan visit in midst of tension with China

(KYMA, KECY/ AP News) - Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has arrived in Taiwan for a visit focused on semiconductors - the critical chips that are used in everyday electronics and have become a battleground in the technology competition between the U.S. and China.

Ducey is on a mission to woo suppliers for the new $12 billion Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. plant being built in his state.

Ducey’s five-day trip to Taiwan and then later to South Korea comes as the governor prepares to leave office in January - with one of his final major focuses on boosting Arizona’s economy by adding to its manufacturing base.

But the trip comes as U.S. officials worry that the United States relies too heavily on Taiwan and other Asian suppliers for processor chips - and those worries have been aggravated by tensions with China over technology and security.

Most recently - a string of visits by U.S. politicians that have angered China, who claims the visits have encouraged Taiwan independence forces.