US President Donald Trump spoke at a press conference held at the White House regarding the huge investment to be made in the US by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). Trump stated that TSMC will invest at least $100 billion in the US for the production of artificial intelligence chips, and emphasized that this is a critical step for the US economy and national security. Trump said, “The world’s most powerful artificial intelligence chips will be produced in the US.”
Emphasizing that these investments will strengthen the economic and technological independence of the US, Trump said, “Nothing works without chips. You can’t even buy a car today. Artificial intelligence, the defense industry, even our daily lives depend on this technology. That’s why TSMC’s investment is a critical turning point in terms of our national security.”
Trump also stated that major technology companies such as Honda and Apple will make similar investments in the US and that the country will maintain its superiority in the global technology race with these investments.
“The Biden administration gave $350 billion to Ukraine and got nothing in return”
Trump referred to the Russia-Ukraine War in his speech and targeted former President Joe Biden administration. Stating that the US provided $350 billion in aid to Ukraine but gained nothing, Trump said, "The Biden administration gave $350 billion to Ukraine and got nothing in return. If we had rebuilt the US Navy with that money, we would be in a much stronger position right now."
"Europe did not sacrifice as much as the US for its own defense"
Stating that Europe's contribution to the Ukraine war was insufficient, Trump said, "This is their border, this is their security problem. Europe did not sacrifice as much as the US for its own defense." Accusing the Biden administration of "pursuing a weak policy," Trump claimed that the Russia-Ukraine War would never have started during his presidency and said, "If I were president, Putin would never have entered Ukraine. Just like it did not enter between 2017-2021," he said.
He continued his reaction to Zelenskiy
Continuing his reaction to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s words that the war is “very, very far away” to end, Trump claimed that Zelenskyy is not sympathetic to peace and wants the war to continue, saying, “Zelenskiy wants the war to continue as long as he receives US support. Because if the war ends, the aid coming from the US will also end. That’s why he is trying to prolong the war.”
“Continuing this war does not benefit anyone”
Stating that the US will not allocate any more war budget for Ukraine in the long term and that the parties should sit at the diplomatic table as soon as possible, Trump said, “It takes two to tango. Russia and Ukraine need to reach an agreement for peace. Europe should also be included in the process. Continuing this war does not benefit anyone, it only leads to the deaths of young people.”
Claiming that Russia does not want to continue this war either, Trump stated that Europe should also take a step towards peace, saying, “Russia wants to make an agreement. Europe also wants the war to end. So why are we waiting?”
“The deaths must stop”
Stating that thousands of Ukrainian and Russian soldiers are dying a week, Trump emphasized that this war is being unnecessarily prolonged. Trump said, “Last week, 2,700 soldiers died. Young soldiers, Russian and Ukrainian. These are not US soldiers, but if we look at them as people, this is a tragedy. The deaths must stop.”
“We will no longer give money without asking questions”
Stating that the US will re-evaluate the military aid it provides to Ukraine, Trump emphasized that this process will not continue “without conditions.” Trump said, “The American people want to know where their money is being spent. If support is going to be given to Ukraine, we should provide tangible benefits to the US in return. We can do this through a credit system, but we will no longer give money without asking questions.”
Stating that Ukraine should also take US interests into consideration, Trump said, “Spending billions more dollars on Ukraine without protecting our interests cannot be the case. If they need help, we will have to reach an agreement.”
“Certain economic sanctions against Russia may be re-evaluated”
President Trump stated that some sanctions imposed on Russia could be eased if the war ends and said, “If a peace agreement is reached, some economic sanctions against Russia may be re-evaluated. However, this will depend on Russia stepping back on the battlefield.”
Emphasizing that everything depends on how willing Ukraine and Russia are to reach an agreement, Trump once again emphasized that the US will prioritize its interests.
