Jensen Huang’s Taiwan visits gave the island a global spotlight

Jensen Huang, former CEO of Nvidia, was mobbed by fans during visits to his birthplace Taiwan, where he was seen as a hero who made the diplomatically isolated island feel recognized globally and instilled immense pride. His departure has left many reflecting on the loss of a charismatic champion. Huang stood out among Taiwanese tech executives for prioritizing local culture, speaking Taiwanese and frequenting night markets, which helped Taiwanese feel seen. He spent decades building close ties with suppliers like TSMC and Foxconn, hosting "trillion-dollar dinners" and praising Taiwan as the "epicentre" of the AI revolution. His exit raises concerns about weakened supplier relationships under new leadership and potential political implications for Taiwan's upcoming presidential race, with questions about export control loopholes and confidence in the ruling party.