The Era of Tech-Geopolitics: The Convergence of Technology and Geopolitics
The era of Tech-Geopolitics (技政學) has arrived. Technology is no longer merely a tool for industrial progress; it has become a central force shaping global competition and conflicts. Cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, robotics, energy, and telecommunications are now at the core of international power struggles, influencing the balance of global dominance.
Geopolitical conflicts are accelerating technological competition, and innovation has become a crucial strategy for national security and economic prosperity. The ongoing U.S.-China rivalry exemplifies this trend. The battle over semiconductors and AI has escalated beyond technological superiority into economic sanctions and supply chain restructuring. Meanwhile, Europe and Japan are actively strengthening their technological sovereignty, and South Korea faces the challenge of defining its survival strategy in this high-stakes environment.
At its core, Tech-Geopolitics signifies how technology is reshaping the global order. Nations are leveraging technological advancements for strategic gains while simultaneously engaging in cooperation and competition. This reality extends far beyond conventional industrial innovation—it is a battle for technological sovereignty, economic security, and long-term national competitiveness.
How should nations strategically position themselves in this new era? Which technologies will be at the heart of this battle? And most importantly, how can South Korea navigate these global shifts? We must transition from viewing technology solely as an industrial tool to a geopolitical asset. The waves of Tech-Geopolitics have already arrived.
Technology and Geopolitics: The Historical Context
As the U.S.-China technology war intensifies, the relationship between technology and geopolitics is gaining renewed attention. The study of this intersection dates back to World War II, with Turner (1943) being a key early reference.
Military Innovation and Strategic Transformation
Technological advancements have fundamentally changed military strategies and the nature of warfare. New weapon systems and tactical technologies have redefined military geography and operational strategies. Advances in aviation and naval technologies have significantly reduced geographical constraints, restructuring global strategic dynamics.
Moreover, military technological superiority is inseparable from industrial capacity. To achieve military dominance, a nation must have robust industrial production capabilities, which are directly tied to economic strength. The ability of the U.S., U.K., and Germany to maintain wartime supremacy was largely due to their industrialized economies and strong logistics infrastructure.
Technological progress has also elevated the strategic importance of key resources. Oil, steel, and rare minerals have become essential to both military and economic power, driving geopolitical conflicts over resource control. The global distribution of these materials has further intensified national rivalries.
Technology as a Tool for Global Power
Nations that lead in technology hold economic and military supremacy, shaping the post-war global order. The U.S. leveraged its technological and industrial leadership to establish itself as the dominant global power, highlighting the decisive role of technological prowess in shaping national futures.
Turner’s research anticipated how technology and geopolitics would interact, forecasting the transformation of the global power structure through innovation. This insight remains highly relevant today, as nations increasingly rely on technology to secure their geopolitical standing.
Reference:
Turner, R. (1943). Technology and Geopolitics. Military Affairs, 7(1), 5–15.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/1982989
Escalating U.S.-China Tech Rivalry
The U.S.-China technology war continues to escalate across multiple domains:
China launched an antitrust investigation into NVIDIA, citing concerns over its acquisition of Mellanox.
The U.S. has imposed AI chip export bans, while China has retaliated by restricting gallium and germanium exports, impacting NVIDIA and ASML.
If Donald Trump wins re-election, he is expected to impose up to 60% tariffs on China, further tightening trade restrictions.
Google announced breakthroughs in quantum computing, claiming its new quantum chip can solve problems in minutes that would take classical supercomputers trillions of years.
TikTok faces potential bans in the U.S., raising concerns over whether governments can legally block tech firms without concrete evidence of security threats.
These events illustrate the deepening division between U.S. and Chinese tech ecosystems, with long-term implications for the global economy.
TSMC & ASML: Caught Between Superpowers
The semiconductor industry provides a clear example of how businesses are caught between geopolitical forces:
TSMC dominates the global semiconductor foundry market, holding over 50% market share. However, as U.S.-China tensions rise, TSMC is being forced to expand production in Arizona while China aggressively develops its own semiconductor industry.
ASML, the sole producer of EUV lithography equipment, is being pressured by U.S. export controls to block sales to China, limiting China’s ability to manufacture cutting-edge chips.
These cases demonstrate how Tech-Geopolitics is directly reshaping business strategies, forcing companies to navigate regulatory restrictions, economic risks, and national security concerns.
Comparing U.S. and China’s Tech Superiority
China leads in five key areas:
Drones (DJI)
High-speed rail (CRRC)
Electric Vehicles (EVs) (BYD, NIO)
Solar panels
Graphene research
Meanwhile, China faces intense competition in:
Semiconductors (still behind TSMC and Samsung)
AI and computing
Pharmaceuticals
LNG carriers
The U.S. remains dominant in semiconductors and AI, with Washington implementing strict export controls to prevent China from catching up. Despite this, China’s semiconductor firms, such as SMIC, continue to advance, challenging U.S. restrictions.
The Future of Tech-Geopolitics
Investment in AI, Quantum Computing, and Biotechnology will redefine global power dynamics.
U.S.-China tech decoupling will accelerate, forcing businesses to restructure supply chains.
Cybersecurity threats and tech-based espionage will increase.
Companies must adopt diversified, geopolitically aware strategies to survive this volatile environment.
The fusion of technology and geopolitics is no longer an abstract concept—it is reshaping global power structures in real-time. Governments and businesses must now develop strategic responses that integrate technological innovation, cybersecurity, and geopolitical intelligence to thrive in this new era.
Reference:
Harvard Business Review (2024). Navigating the New Geopolitics of Tech.
https://hbr.org/2024/11/navigating-the-new-geopolitics-of-tech
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