Apple chip partner TSMC to take part in White House semiconductor shortage summit
Apple chip partner TSMC is thought to be attending a White House virtual summit on Monday, to discuss with other tech executives and chip producers on how to fix the global semiconductor shortage.
The United States and governments around the world are keen to fix the problem of chip shortages, which has led to issues for device producers in acquiring sufficient supplies. The problem is also affecting Apple, with issues acquiring some parts affected by the market problems.
As part of a bid to find a solution, the White House is holding a virtual summit on Monday, which will include the CEOs and other executives from many major producers. According to CNBC, the companies will include Intel, Dell, Samsung HP, Alphabet, GM, and others.
While Apple isn't on the list of companies that are thought to be participating in discussions, it is represented in proceedings by TSMC. The chip foundry, which works with Apple on A-series chips as well as Apple Silicon, is making major investments in production in the United States.
TSMC's plans include a factory in Arizona for chip production, an effort valued at approximately $12 billion, which is highly likely to provide some production capacity intended for Apple's products. In March, its board approved the issuing of bonds valued at $743 million to find its production expansion, with the company declaring in April it planned to spend $100 billion on chip fabrication expansion over three years.
The summit will be hosted by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and NEC Director Brian Deese, and will also be joined by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. The session will discuss President Joe Biden's American Jobs Plan, as well as how to improve the U.S. supply chain for semiconductors.
Biden signed an executive order on February 24 that set up a 100-day review of supplies for processors, batteries, and pharmaceuticals. It is thought the review could lead to a more proactive one-year review probing domestic production, and the possibility of using the Defense Production Act.
The White House also issued its budget request to Congress on Friday, which The Verge reports includes a request for $150 million to find a pair of manufacturing programs. One of the programs will focus on the semiconductor shortage.
The United States and governments around the world are keen to fix the problem of chip shortages, which has led to issues for device producers in acquiring sufficient supplies. The problem is also affecting Apple, with issues acquiring some parts affected by the market problems.
As part of a bid to find a solution, the White House is holding a virtual summit on Monday, which will include the CEOs and other executives from many major producers. According to CNBC, the companies will include Intel, Dell, Samsung HP, Alphabet, GM, and others.
While Apple isn't on the list of companies that are thought to be participating in discussions, it is represented in proceedings by TSMC. The chip foundry, which works with Apple on A-series chips as well as Apple Silicon, is making major investments in production in the United States.
TSMC's plans include a factory in Arizona for chip production, an effort valued at approximately $12 billion, which is highly likely to provide some production capacity intended for Apple's products. In March, its board approved the issuing of bonds valued at $743 million to find its production expansion, with the company declaring in April it planned to spend $100 billion on chip fabrication expansion over three years.
The summit will be hosted by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and NEC Director Brian Deese, and will also be joined by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. The session will discuss President Joe Biden's American Jobs Plan, as well as how to improve the U.S. supply chain for semiconductors.
Biden signed an executive order on February 24 that set up a 100-day review of supplies for processors, batteries, and pharmaceuticals. It is thought the review could lead to a more proactive one-year review probing domestic production, and the possibility of using the Defense Production Act.
The White House also issued its budget request to Congress on Friday, which The Verge reports includes a request for $150 million to find a pair of manufacturing programs. One of the programs will focus on the semiconductor shortage.
Comments
Is this just speculation or is there info to support it?
At least initially, the AZ fab will not be on TSMC’s leading edge. Also, why fab in AZ and ship to China for assembly when Taiwan is so much closer?
If this fab were to make anything for apple, I’d guess it might be for desktop Macs, where a smaller volume of larger chips on a more mature process might make sense.
I wonder if this AZ fab is more likely to produce for US defense contractors, automotive manufacturers, and maybe AMD.
It will give them leverage in case the U.S. ever decides that they want to impose trade barriers, sanctions or whatever. Other than that, I see no advantage to them.
5nm and 3nm are, and will be, very expensive (and profitable) but in the general scheme of production quantities, just a very, very small fragment of the chip market.
Samsung has been leading investments in this area for a few years now (to frankly unheard of levels) and far outstripping TSMC.
Now TSMC is expected to begin ramping up its own investments too.
This is 2021. 5nm is currently leading edge. The AZ plant is supposed to come online in 2024 with 5nm.
understand now?