Source: Global Times
[Global Times Special Correspondent Yu Ming] On the 9th, TSMC reported that it may have new moves in setting up a factory in the United States. It is preparing to build another wafer factory next to the current wafer factory site in the United States that uses advanced 3nm process. TSMC responded later that day that the second phase has not yet been determined. The news once again sparked concerns about "TSMC turning into an American company" on the island.
TSMC. Data source Visual China
The US " Wall Street Journal " quoted anonymous people on the 9th and said that TSMC plans to announce in the next few months that it will build another cutting-edge semiconductor factory in northern Phoenix, Arizona, USA. The investment scale of is about US$12 billion, which is close to the 5-nanometer factory that was decided in 2020. The new factory will adopt the most advanced 3nm process, which can be used to manufacture the smallest and fastest chips at present. The report said that TSMC's decision came after Washington agreed to provide subsidies to semiconductor manufacturers to bring advanced manufacturing back to the United States, and the company made a big bet on making chips in the United States.
Taiwan China Times Electronic News said on the 29th that in August this year, the market had reported that TSMC was evaluating the construction of a second wafer fab in Arizona. It is also reported that TSMC will start the second phase of the project construction, which will cut into 3 nanometers in the future, and is expected to increase to 40,000 pieces per month in 2026.
In response to the above report, TSMC's Public Relations Office responded on the evening of the 9th that the Arizona fab that TSMC is currently building includes a part of the buildings that may be used for the second phase of the factory, which will improve cost-effectiveness by utilizing the resources of the first phase of construction. "This building can allow us to maintain flexibility in future expansion. But so far, TSMC has not yet determined the plan for the second phase of the Arizona fab." The statement also said, "In view of strong demand from customers for TSMC's advanced processes, we will evaluate future plans for operational efficiency and cost economy factors."
Just a few days ago, a TSMC charter plane carrying personnel and machine components had set off directly to Phoenix City to attend the first batch of machine equipment arrival ceremony expected in December. Taiwanese media said that there will be 10 charter flights to the United States this time. In addition to the engineering-related personnel of TSMC itself, Taiwanese supply chain manufacturers will also participate. TSMC's investment in the United States is at least US$12 billion, accounting for 1/3 of its annual capital expenditure. "In other words, TSMC's investment will move the entire industrial settlement to the United States."
In response to this, KMT "Legislator" Li Guimin html on the 29th questioned that "Economic Minister" Wang Meihua vowed that TSMC talents would never have "escape cards" and would not be removed, but last week TSMC chartered the flight directly to Phoenix City to prepare for the establishment of a factory was the talent output of a whole machine. What is the situation? She further asked, TSMC continued to invest overseas. In this way, it means that all the personnel trained by Taiwan have left and helped others to serve, which will lead to the hollowing of Taiwan's talents. Is this in line with the policy? Wang Meihua argued that it is normal for Taiwanese engineers to set up factories overseas.
"Don't consume TSMC". China Times Electronics News commented on this topic on the 9th that in order to achieve the Americanization of mainland China and wafer manufacturing, the US government has used various means to coerce semiconductor manufacturers including TSMC and South Korea to move to the United States in recent years. Although TSMC founder Zhang Zhongmou repeatedly made suggestions that it would be unwise to invest in wafer manufacturing in the United States, the United States named it, how dare TSMC refuse to follow? What's more, the Tsai administration is constantly beating the sidelines.
