Morris Chan, 91, the founder and former chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), seems particularly concerned about US attempts to subsidize chip manufacturing domestically. is said to be invisible. profile of Politico, It highlights previously unreported comments about attempts to bring more silicon production to the United States.
Chan reportedly met then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi during a visit to Taiwan last year and surprised her with an inside-out compliment.
According to Pelosi’s interview, Chan said, “$50 billion. Well, that’s a good start.” PoliticoThis is related to the CHIPS and Science Act, a bill signed into President Joe Biden’s administration that will provide $52 billion in subsidies to chip makers to increase production in the United States.
Since then, there have been plenty of commitments for more chips to be spun up on American soil by new foundries from Intel, GlobalFoundries, Texas Instruments, and even TSMC itself.
according to PoliticoChan said he was “pleasant” that TSMC was able to profit from its fab project in Arizona. But you can’t just buy the way to become a chip powerhouse, he said at the conference, and even if that happens, the U.S. will have to keep spending to keep its factories up to date. .
Chan also questioned whether the U.S. workforce has competitive talent. Still, the company plans to build a massive factory in Arizona to supply chips to Apple.
Mr. Chan reportedly told Mr. Pelosi that if the U.S. wanted a stable semiconductor industry, it should focus on ensuring Taiwan’s security. A possible conflict between Taiwan and China is one aspect of him moving production elsewhere to ensure a stable supply chain.
In January, Taiwanese policymakers fought back to keep development at the border, launching its own CHIPS that would allow chip companies to take 25% of their annual R&D spending and turn it into tax credits. Passed a law-style policy. Taiwanese chip makers will have to pay 5% of their annual cost to purchase advanced node equipment, some of the most expensive parts in building a new fab or upgrading an old fab. You can also claim a tax credit.
Other countries are also trying to move manufacturing to their own countries. Intel was planning a “megafab” in Magdeburg, Germany, and had received about $7.3 billion in funding from the European Chip Act. In December, Intel reportedly canceled the start of construction due to “difficult market conditions.”
Chan has a reputation for speaking his mind, but now he and TSMC are players in a field that has long relied on Taiwanese dominance. Let’s see how long everyone can play.
