Final answer:
TSMC's situation in the U.S. must be evaluated in the context of protectionism and its impact on the tech industry. While TSMC's subsidies in the U.S. are not specified, history shows that protectionist measures can increase costs and drive manufacturing overseas, as seen with the flat-panel display industry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether TSMC now enjoys the subsidies it deserves in the United States involves understanding the balance between protectionism and global trade, particularly in the high-tech industry. For semiconductors, countries like Taiwan and Korea have been successful in achieving economies of scale by specializing in production and participating in global trade. However, protectionist measures, such as antidumping taxes, can have downsides. For instance, they can lead to increased costs for domestic manufacturers, as seen in the domestic flat-panel display industry, resulting in companies moving production overseas and job losses.
Regarding TSMC, it is unclear without current specific data on the subsidies they receive in the U.S. However, it's important to consider how similar scenarios have panned out for other technology companies. Protectionist policies can inadvertently harm domestic industries and drive manufacturing abroad. The case with the flat-panel display industry, where companies like Apple, Toshiba, and IBM shifted manufacturing out of the United States due to increased costs from protectionist taxes, serves as a cautionary tale.