Taiwan says receives U.S. letter on auto chips, firms are doing what they should

TAIPEI, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Taiwan Economy Minister WangMei-hua said on Saturday she had received a letter from theWhite House on the global shortage of auto chips and Taiwanesesemiconductor firms are "doing what they should" to address theproblem.

Tight chip supplies have caused problems for auto makersglobally, who in some cases are having to curtail production.

This week U.S. President Joe Biden's top economic adviser,Brian Deese, thanked Wang for her efforts to resolve theshortage in coordination with the island's manufacturers.

Wang told reporters that she had received the letter onFriday night, adding she had previously met with local chipmakers on the issue, referring to meetings she has held inrecent weeks.

"Going forward, manufacturers are doing what they should,"she said.

This is a problem affecting car makers around the world,including in the United States, Japan and Europe, and Taiwan isan important supplier, Wang added.

"We are helping as much as we can," she said.

The shortage has affected Volkswagen, Ford MotorCo, Subaru Corp, Toyota Motor Corp,Nissan Motor Co Ltd, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles andother car makers.

Chip makers including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing CoLtd (TSMC), the world's largest contract chipmaker, have pledged to prioritise production.

The issue has become a diplomatic one. As well as the letterfrom the United States, Germany's economy minister has alsowritten to Wang asking for help.(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)