Stan Shih, the founder of technology company Acer, has recently raised concerns over the United States government’s strategy to bolster domestic semiconductor production in order to compete with well-established global players in the industry.
Shih highlights a significant delay faced by the US in comparison to Asian countries, particularly Taiwan, in meeting the demand for chips in various technological devices, including smartphones, servers, autonomous vehicles, and military equipment.
One of the key factors contributing to the US’s delay is its past decision to outsource semiconductor production. This move has resulted in a chip supply chain that heavily favors Asian countries, which have developed robust expertise and manufacturing infrastructure in the semiconductor field.
Taiwan’s leading semiconductor company, TSMC, for instance, has experienced delays in the mass production of its factory in Arizona due to shortages of equipment and skilled labor required for semiconductor operations.
To address these challenges and safeguard national security interests, the US government launched the $280 billion CHIPS Act. This comprehensive program aims to create high-tech job opportunities and reduce the US’s dependency on chip imports.
However, there are concerns surrounding the implementation of the CHIPS Act, particularly regarding the geopolitical relationship between Taiwan and China. Taiwan plays a crucial role as a major source of global chip supplies, and any potential influence from China in the region could impact the stability of the global chip supply.
The US semiconductor development efforts are not limited to government initiatives; renowned technology companies like Intel are also actively participating. Intel, with the support of subsidies from the CHIPS Act, has initiated the Silicon Heartland campus project in Ohio. This groundbreaking project is Intel’s first new manufacturing facility in the US in decades and is projected to create thousands of high-paying jobs, benefiting the country’s economy and national security.
Intel’s CEO, Pat Gelsinger, has expressed that the Silicon Heartland development serves as evidence of the government’s successful incentives in encouraging private investment and generating high-paying jobs to strengthen the US economy and security.
In light of the intense global competition in the semiconductor sector, the US must intensify its efforts to catch up with Asian countries, especially Taiwan, in establishing a robust chip supply to meet the demands of current and future technologies.
