Warren Buffett's conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway has sold all of its shares in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), citing concerns about the island's stability.
Buffett, who is known for his long-term investment horizon, said that he had been a "great admirer" of TSMC, but that he had "re-evaluated" the risks involved in investing in the company due to the ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan.
"I feel better about the capital that we've got deployed in Japan than in Taiwan," Buffett said in an interview with CNBC.
"I wish it weren't so, but I think that's the reality, and I re-evaluated that in the light of certain things that were going on."
The sale of TSMC shares by Berkshire Hathaway comes at a time of heightened tensions between China and Taiwan.
China has long claimed Taiwan as its own territory, and has vowed to take the island by force if necessary.
In recent years, China has stepped up its military activity around Taiwan, and has conducted a series of war games near the island.
The United States has pledged to help Taiwan defend itself, and has sent warships and aircraft to the region in a show of support.
The sale of TSMC shares by Berkshire Hathaway is a sign that investors are becoming increasingly concerned about the risks of investing in Taiwan.
The island's future is uncertain, and the possibility of a Chinese invasion is always present.
The sale of TSMC shares is also a blow to Apple, which is heavily reliant on the company for its chips.
Apple makes all of its iPhones and iPads using TSMC chips, and the company has no other major supplier for its processors.
It is unclear how Apple will respond to the loss of its major supplier.
The company could try to diversify its chip supply chain, but this would be a costly and time-consuming process.
Apple could also try to develop its own chip-making capabilities, but this would be a major undertaking.
The sale of TSMC shares by Berkshire Hathaway is a reminder of the risks that investors face when investing in Taiwan.
The island's future is uncertain, and the possibility of a Chinese invasion is always present..
