Recently, U.S. federal agents conducted a raid on a Hyundai-LG battery plant in Georgia, resulting in the arrest of several workers. This incident underscores that even foreign investors who commit significant capital to projects in the United States are not exempt from the country’s strict law enforcement, which serves as a major warning for Taiwanese enterprises.
Hsien-Ming Lien, President of the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER), analyzed that this conflict stems from a shortage of manufacturing labor in the United States, forcing Korean companies to rely on short-term visa workers, which violates U.S. regulations. This incident demonstrates that after the Trump administration aggressively promoted foreign investment in domestic manufacturing, local talent supply has failed to match demand, leading to increased personnel costs. TSMC’s Arizona facility faces similar challenges. Beyond promoting Taiwan-U.S. cooperation, the government should assist Taiwanese companies in strengthening relationships with state governments to secure labor resources and investment support packages.
President Lien cautioned that Taiwanese companies cannot assume that legal investments will guarantee protection. A defining characteristic of the U.S. system is the separation between law enforcement and politics, meaning short-term diplomatic goodwill is insufficient to offset risks. Taiwanese enterprises should proactively develop comprehensive talent strategies and establish long-term mechanisms through cooperation with local governments, industries, and academia to reduce risks and establish a solid foothold in the U.S. investment environment.
Author: CIER Editorial Team Date: September 11, 2025