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Chipmakers asked to build advanced chip foundries in US

by Mark Tyson on 11 May 2020, 12:20

Tags: Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), TSMC, Samsung (005935.KS)

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Officials from the White House are in talks with Intel and TSMC executives about building new advanced chip manufacturing facilities in the US, reports the Wall Street Journal. Some US officials have also talked to Samsung about expanding existing contract-manufacturing operations stateside. For years US technology companies have been expanding manufacturing in East Asia, so if the tide can be rolled back it would be a significant U-turn.

Relying on advanced technology manufacturing in East Asia probably seems somewhat risky for the US administration, given the world's current geopolitical situation - with growing ire towards and mistrust of China, plus the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

Evidence of Intel's willingness to adapt to the US manufacturing initiative comes via a letter from 28th April, obtained by the WSJ. In the letter, CEO Bob Swan told the US Defence Department that Intel is willing to build a commercial foundry in partnership with the Pentagon "given the uncertainty created by the current geopolitical situation." It is thought that the new facilities could boost Intel's contract manufacturing work in the US, as it already has some capacity for its own needs.

TSMC has similarly been in talks with the US Commerce and Defence departments, as well as Apple, about setting up a chip foundry in the United States. The Taiwanese firm confirmed to TechCrunch that "We are actively evaluating all the suitable locations, including in the U.S., but there is no concrete plan yet. It all depends on customers' needs".

Private companies might be keen to appear willing to bend to US political pressure but their first duty is, of course, to their shareholders. Many of the reasons they currently aren't as big in the US as the White House would like are very probably still relevant. Thus, there will need to be some incentives to invest in US production facilities and/or a package of disincentives to producing the same products overseas.

The US heads to the polls in early November this year. It would probably be a good idea for companies to dither and avoid any expensive commitments until after then.



HEXUS Forums :: 26 Comments

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Chips built in US foundries are likely to be significantly more expensive for the consumer..IF the proposed foundries are for consumer products.
If they are to be built for military and security purposes, then the US will become no different from the Chinese Communist Party. The difference being, that the companies involved will be allowed to off-shore their tax commitments.
Why does this feel somewhat like a precursor to war?

Make it so you can be self sufficient when you normally rely on your opposition as your supply chain. The reasoning behind why is mild at best.
Tabbykatze
Why does this feel somewhat like a precursor to war?

Make it so you can be self sufficient when you normally rely on your opposition as your supply chain. The reasoning behind why is mild at best.

No,more like 700 billion reasons. Why spend on healthcare or other infrastructure when you are in a constant state of war,or worrying there will be a war.
ohmaheid
Chips built in US foundries are likely to be significantly more expensive for the consumer..IF the proposed foundries are for consumer products.
If they are to be built for military and security purposes, then the US will become no different from the Chinese Communist Party. The difference being, that the companies involved will be allowed to off-shore their tax commitments.

Exactly. US have long been selling off and outsourcing, now they are panicked and fear losing control or being edged out and technology is everything nowadays. Not the first time the US would be hypocritical, not the last either.
Tabbykatze
Why does this feel somewhat like a precursor to war?

It isn't a precursor to war.
The US doesn't start wars with countries that can actually fight back.