Chips Won’t Replace Deterrence

The article argues that even a massive, multi‑decade push to relocate semiconductor production outside Chinese missile range cannot substitute for forward military deterrence: industrial policy reduces economic vulnerability but does not remove the geopolitical incentive for the Chinese Communist Party to press claims over Taiwan. It warns that relying on reshoring as an alternative to security commitments risks emboldening coercion and may leave democratic norms exposed. — It reframes the tech‑security debate by asserting that industrial resilience is necessary but not sufficient — deterrence and political commitments remain central to preventing conflict and preserving liberal order.