A Washington think-tank expert says most countries can't build their own cutting-edge AI models from scratch, which hands Taiwan major leverage thanks to its advanced chip-making dominance — good news for Taiwan's bargaining position, less so for countries hoping to go it alone on AI.

• Most nations now accept they can't develop frontier AI models on their own, so they're scrambling to partner with the US or China instead.
• Taiwan makes most of the world's top-tier chips and AI servers, which the expert calls possibly "the strongest card in the world" at the negotiating table.
• That leverage lets Taiwan push for early access to the most advanced US AI models and priority approval for computing power.
• Even as chipmakers like TSMC expand into the US, existing Taiwan factories stay critical in the near term since new overseas plants are still years from full capacity.
• Taiwan is reportedly tightening its own AI chip export rules to align with US restrictions aimed at blocking advanced chips from reaching China.

Outlook: Taiwan is expected to keep deepening ties with the US on chip and AI policy, reinforcing its leverage even as it draws a firmer line against China.