The East Asian Computer Chip War Apr 2026

The book disentangles how economic interdependence in the high-tech sector can create "explosive flashpoints" in world politics, as states struggle to control critical supply chains.

Ming-chin Monique Chu , a research fellow at the University of Oxford specializing in Taiwan Studies. The East Asian Computer Chip War

by Ming-chin Monique Chu (2013) is a path-breaking academic exploration of how semiconductor globalization has reshaped international security. Unlike more recent popular histories like Chris Miller’s Chip War , this work provides a rigorous, multidisciplinary look at the "globalization-security nexus," focusing specifically on the strategic migration of the Taiwanese chip industry to mainland China. Book Overview The book disentangles how economic interdependence in the

The work is noted for its extensive primary research, including over 150 interviews with industry participants and policymakers. Critical Reception Unlike more recent popular histories like Chris Miller’s

Reviewers such as Adam Segal from the Council on Foreign Relations praise the book for its "depth and rigor" in analyzing how globalization affects security. Peter Nolan describes it as a "remarkable piece of research" that shines light on a "dimly understood corner" of global business.

A major portion of the research examines the movement of Taiwanese chip-making capacity into China. Chu explores how this migration complicates the "security triangle" between Washington, Taipei, and Beijing.

Chu establishes chips as "dual-use" technologies essential for both commercial electronics and modern warfare, forming the foundation of contemporary national power.