The New Semiconductor Order: Lessons from Colley Hwang’s Keynote at Semi Impact Forum 2025

At Semi Impact Forum 2025, Colley Hwang—Founder and President of DIGITIMES—delivered a keynote titled “After TSMC’s $100 Billion Investment in the US, the New Semiconductor Landscape is Emerging.” It was one of the defining moments of the day. As a veteran industry observer and advisor to Taiwan’s government, Hwang offered a sharp, forward-looking perspective on the shifting semiconductor ecosystem, drawing particularly on the impact of TSMC’s unprecedented global expansion.

Hwang’s central message was clear: we are witnessing the formation of a new semiconductor order—one that demands strategic clarity, national focus, and global collaboration.

From Taiwan to the World: TSMC as a Strategic Blueprint

Hwang traced TSMC’s journey from a modest foundry into a global titan, now spending upwards of $40 billion annually on capex. Its success is no accident; it stems from an obsessive focus on process technology, ecosystem orchestration, and a balanced client structure. These lessons aren’t just historical—they offer a framework for others seeking to build competitiveness in an era of decentralised manufacturing.

A Decentralised Future is Taking Shape

As Hwang outlined, the global semiconductor supply chain is fragmenting—but strategically. Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and the U.S. are carving out defined roles, reflecting national priorities and capabilities. The UK, he suggested, must now do the same—not by imitating Taiwan, but by developing a tailored strategy rooted in its unique strengths.

The UK’s Semiconductor Opportunity

For the UK, this is a decisive moment. Hwang identified three clear opportunities:

1. Ecosystem Alignment – Engaging with Taiwan’s supply chain leaders such as WPG and WWT.

2. Technological Niche – Building around strengths like photonics, IP design, and emerging biochips.

3. Strategic Dialogue – Creating platforms for ongoing collaboration, with potential visits and continued engagement from figures like Hwang.

   
   

His comment, “Hardware could eat AI,” struck a chord—reminding us that infrastructure, cooling, and chip design are foundational to AI’s next wave, not just the algorithms that sit atop them.

What Comes Next?

With global semiconductor imports expected to reach $1.2 trillion this year and exports close behind at $1.07 trillion, the stakes have never been higher. Hwang’s keynote didn’t just analyse the state of play—it issued a call to action.

Countries like the UK must now define their place in the emerging global semiconductor matrix. The window to act is narrow, but the rewards for getting it right are immense.