“The Trump Administration, Intel, TSMC, and the US Will Establish a New Semiconductor Factory”

Check-in 2020.05.11 10:12
The | Revision 2020.05.11 10:13

Reuters reported on 10 (local time) that the Trump administration is discussing the establishment of a semiconductor consignment manufacturing plant (foundry) in the United States for semiconductor companies such as Intel and TSMC to reduce dependence on semiconductors supplied to the United States.

According to Reuters, Intel, the largest semiconductor company in the United States, is discussing a new foundry in the United States with the United States Department of Defense to advance US microelectronics infrastructure and related technologies.

In an interview with Reuters, an Intel spokesperson said: “Intel is in a good position to partner with the US government. To operate a US-owned commercial production plant and produce a wide range of ultra-compact and secure electronic products. “

In March, Intel Chief Executive Bob Swan sent a statement to the United States Department of Defense, stating that he was ready to build a “foundry,” a semiconductor manufacturing facility.

In a statement, Swan said: “As the current geopolitical environment becomes uncertain, (the semiconductor production industry) is becoming more important than ever.” “I think it is the top priority for the United States.”

Intel’s decision came after a two-year trade war between the United States and China, deepening the conflict between the United States and China over responsibility for the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19).

For this reason, the view that this decision is intended to have an advantage over China in the fields of semiconductors and 5G (Fifth Generation Mobile Communication) technology in preparation for the shaking of the Asian semiconductor supply chain due to Corona19 is dominant.

Taiwanese semiconductor company TSMC said it was discussing with the United States Department of Commerce about building a foundry in the United States, but has not yet made a final decision.

TSMC said: “We are actively evaluating the appropriate (factory) location, including in the United States.”

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), TSMC has discussed building a semiconductor manufacturing plant in the United States with its largest customer, the world’s largest maker of computing devices, Apple.

Additionally, US authorities reported that they are paying attention to the expansion of consignment production (CMO) facilities at Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor plant located in Austin, Texas.