In recent years, TSMC has begun to continue to lead in more advanced manufacturing processes. Not only does mass production take place earlier, but it also has advantages in yield and production capacity.
Even and Intel , which have always been leading, are already difficult to match. The production of 3nm chips should even be handed over to TSMC, while Intel's 5nm process has not yet been realized.
So we see that even the United States has begun to invite TSMC to build factories in the United States. Although it is an invitation, it is obvious that TSMC is reluctant.
TSMC has publicly stated more than once that building a factory in the United States is the result of the United States’ requirements and is unrealistic because the cost is too high.
Zhang Zhongmou once said that we were too naive when we first set up a factory in the United States. The wafer factory built in the United States more than 20 years ago has not been able to reduce costs until now, and it can be said that it cannot make much money.
As for the 5-nanometer factory currently under construction, the entry time of the equipment has been postponed.
Not only that, the previously promised subsidies have not been fulfilled. As for the US$52 billion subsidy launched by the United States, TSMC also stated that it cannot only subsidize US companies. However, now, according to media reports, this US$52 billion subsidy may also be difficult to realize. .
So we see that TSMC still does not want to build factories in the United States, and TSMC has also begun to make "small moves."
Because TSMC has begun to reveal its factory building plans to the outside world, starting with the most advanced 3nm and the next stage of 2nm processes.
TSMC stated that it will build 8 factories next year, namely 4 3-nanometer factories and 4 2-nanometer factories, all of which will be built in Taiwan, my country.
TSMC President Wei Zhejia once again announced that 5 wafer fabs will be built around the world this year, with construction locations including Nanjing, China, Taiwan, and Kumamoto, Japan.
At this point, TSMC's "little move" has been very obvious, that is, the plant construction plan has been announced, and there are no other new plans to continue to build factories in the United States.
The reason why TSMC does this is actually not difficult to understand. The United States requires TSMC to build a factory in order to obtain the most advanced manufacturing technology.
But for TSMC, the key to winning in the market is its own technological advantages. The United States has previously asked TSMC to provide key data, and recently it has joined forces with Japan to develop 2-nanometer technology, in order to make the United States re- Gain technological leadership.
Obviously this is unacceptable to TSMC. In fact, in order to maintain its technological advantages, TSMC has been building its most advanced manufacturing processes in Taiwan Province.
In addition to technical considerations, TSMC also needs to consider the profit effect. I believe everyone also knows that the price of ASML's next-generation EUV lithography machine has increased again, directly doubling to US$400 million per unit.
If TSMC builds more 3nm and 2nm production capacity in the United States, it will undoubtedly significantly reduce TSMC's profitability.
According to media reports, TSMC is expected to surpass Intel in the second quarter and become the world's second largest semiconductor company.
These are all the results of TSMC’s construction of advanced manufacturing plants in Taiwan Province.
Another point is that TSMC is a company facing global customers. If more advanced factories are built in the United States, they will also worry about being restricted by the United States, and TSMC has to consider the future.
What's more, many of TSMC's customers are US companies. If they are required to produce in their US factories, TSMC will also suffer serious losses.
Without enough profit return, it will not be able to support high investment in R&D expenditures. You must know that the reason why TSMC has achieved technological leadership in recent years is not unrelated to its strong support for EUV lithography machines.
When Intel divested ASML, TSMC has been a persistent supporter and has been cooperating with ASML to develop EUV lithography machines.
It is precisely because TSMC is always the first to get EUV lithography machines, and the number is also considerable. However, without strong enough profitability, these obviously cannot be achieved.
It is precisely for this reason that TSMC has begun to make "small moves". What do you think of this? Welcome to comment, like and forward in the comment area.
