Taiwan Suspends Chip Export Controls on South Africa After Two Days, Reflecting Unease Over Weaponizing Tech Exports

Taiwan suspended chip export controls on South Africa just two days after imposing them, signaling discomfort with leveraging key semiconductor exports as a weapon in diplomatic disputes. The restrictions were initially imposed in response to South Africa's repeated downgrading and renaming of Taiwan's representative offices, moves Taiwan attributes to Chinese pressure to diminish its sovereignty status.focustaiwan+2

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) asked the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) to suspend the release of the public notice required for the export controls after South Africa expressed willingness to engage in talks over the issue. The proposed controls would have required prior approval for 47 products, including integrated circuits and chips shipped to South Africa, effective in late November. Taiwan's government sees the diplomatic moves by South Africa—such as renaming Taipei's offices from "liaison" to "commercial" and relocating them from Pretoria to Johannesburg—as undermining Taiwan's international status.taipeitimes+1

South Africa maintains that its relations with Taiwan are non-political and emphasizes its strategic shift towards developing advanced industries, including supplying crucial platinum-group metals for the semiconductor industry. Pretoria views its diplomatic changes as part of redefining global value chain engagement. Taiwan's initial export controls were justified by Taipei as necessary to uphold its national sovereignty and security in response to South Africa's actions.finance.yahoo

The quick suspension of the chip export curbs reflects Taiwan's reluctance to use its semiconductor sector as a diplomatic weapon, possibly due to economic or political caution. This move underscores the delicate balance Taiwan seeks to maintain in international disputes where its flagship technology exports, produced predominantly by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), play a critical global role.bloomberg+2

In summary, Taiwan's brief imposition and rapid suspension of export controls on semiconductor chips to South Africa highlights unease about weaponizing technology exports in diplomatic conflicts amidst ongoing tensions over Taiwan's international representation.focustaiwan+3