New Zealand: TSMC will continue to supply Huawei to the United States; Nikkei: fear of weakening Taiwan’s security |



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TSMC has decided to establish a factory in Arizona, USA. TSMC may reportedly continue to produce wafers for the Chinese Huawei factory. The outside world believes that the United States strongly advocates that TSMC manufacture in the United States to ensure that, in the event of a crisis abroad, advanced US chips are still available.

The New York Times and Nikkei News reported that experts revealed that US transactions. USA And TSMC may include relaxing restrictions on the use of EE technology. USA By producing goods abroad, which is of great benefit to Beijing and Huawei. Huawei has long been blacklisted in the US trade. USA And it must be approved by the US authorities. USA Before you can buy components from American companies. It has been repeatedly reported that US officials are considering strengthening Huawei’s export controls. One option is to require non-US suppliers, such as TSMC, to apply for a permit from the United States if they use US equipment to produce for Huawei. If it does come true, it will be extremely unfavorable for Huawei and TSMC.

Huawei is TSMC’s second largest customer and represents more than 15% of TSMC’s revenue. The owner of the chip who is familiar with the situation revealed: “If TSMC can no longer produce chips for Huawei … it will harm Huawei, (but) TSMC will also be affected. TSMC needs more customers to test the latest production technology more expensive”. Customers with extremely deep pockets, like Huawei, are willing and able to do it. If the United States allows TSMC to continue cooperating with Huawei, the two sides will be relieved.

As for the cost of establishing factories, TSMC President Liu Deyin told New York last October that he was negotiating with the US Department of Commerce. USA On the possibility of establishing factories in the United States, but this required many government subsidies. In last month’s earnings report, Liu Deyin also mentioned that there is a “cost gap” at the factory facility in the United States, which is currently difficult to accept, but it is unclear whether the United States will grant TSMC subsidies.

TSMC becomes a key strategic resource

Why did the Trump authorities want TSMC to go to the United States for production? Advanced chips developed by American companies are the key to the strength of the US Army. USA However, most of the American wafer production lines have moved abroad. In the event of an international political or military crisis, the supply of American chips may be hampered. For example, the programmable chip and 5G communication chip of the American fighter F-35 are produced almost exclusively by TSMC.

Arisa Liu, an analyst at the Taiwan Economic Research Institute, noted: “TSMC has become a key strategic resource for all industries, including countries, to secure. China wants to protect the supply of advanced chips, and the United States also believes that … (TSMC) needs a lot. ” Only wisdom can strike a balance between the two great countries. “

Another thing to keep in mind is that analysts warn that if TSMC production is withdrawn, it may weaken Taiwan’s security position. Taiwan’s chip sellers and its global economic state are like Taiwan’s insurance policies. Su Ziyun, director of the National Defense Security Research Institute, said: “Of course, the Taiwanese government expects TSMC to maintain the most advanced factories in Taiwan. This will make Taiwan safer. No one wants to harm production capacity. TSMC’s advanced chipset, which is the core of many electronic devices. ” An industry veteran also said, “If a war breaks out, the TSMC plant may be the safest place in the world.”

(This article is reproduced with permission from MoneyDJ News; first image source: Science and Technology News)

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