Whilst trying to avoid politics I do wonder if we have gone back into the 19th century, with trade tariffs on steel and aluminum.

But is anyone else concerned that TSMC now has 67% of the worldwide semiconductor foundry market?

Who has the cards now?

 

If you can do math, I'd say Taiwan.

 

Not too concerned with TSMC as they have a pretty large investment in the USA for leading edge technologies. The legacy/lagging edge technologies concern me more because China has decided to build in that end of the foundry spectrum and it's causing major upsets in the controller, driver and glue chip markets around the world.

https://fas.org/publication/contain-china-on-legacy-chips/
Taking on the World’s Factory: A Path to Contain China on Legacy Chips

No rule works without an enforcement mechanism, and in the worst case, a strong public stance against Chinese semiconductors that is not effectively implemented may actually weaken U.S. credibility and embolden the Chinese government. Therefore, it is imperative to have unambiguous rules on trade restrictions, with a strong enforcement mechanism to match.

These measures should not just apply to chips that are bought directly from China but rather include those that are assembled and packaged in third countries to circumvent U.S. tariffs. The maximal interpretation of the tariffs mandate would further include a calculated tariff on products that make use of Chinese semiconductors as an intermediate input.

In the case of semiconductors made in China but assembled, tested, or packaged in other countries, we suggest an expansion of the Biden Administration’s 50% tariff on Chinese semiconductors to include all chips, consumer, or industrial products that include a wafer manufactured in the People’s Republic of China, based on their international market rate. That is, if an Indonesian car manufacturer purchases a wafer manufactured in China with a market value of $3,000, and uses it to manufacture a $35,000 car, importing this vehicle to the United States would be subject to an additional tax of $1,500.

 

It was not about you, or your country, it was about what our Dear Leader is saying. Canada is my plan B if that becomes necessary.

 

Back to semiconductors and away from politics…..

I am in agreement with NSAspook’s attached article. While everyone’s focus is in the latest and greatest semiconductor generation coming from Taiwan, the bread-and-butter ICs are the ones that concern me. Those humble chips are the unsung heroes in every electronic device. Without them performing ancillary and mundane functions, the most capable CPU or GPU is literally just a silicon slab.

 

Whilst trying to avoid politics I do wonder if we have gone back into the 19th century, with trade tariffs on steel and aluminum.

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Every Country BUT the USA still uses Tariffs right now, today.
It's the only way of eliminating direct Taxation of the People to fund the government.
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It's the only way of eliminating direct Taxation of the People to fund the government

Ok, it's not direct, but it's still TAXATION. The end user always pays for the tarrif and it disappears into the government.

 

If You don't buy the foreign-made version of the widget, You don't pay the "Invisible-Taxes".
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If You don't buy the foreign-made version of the widget, You don't pay the "Invisible-Taxes".
.
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Have fun with your American made iPhone!

 

If You don't buy the foreign-made version of the widget, You don't pay the "Invisible-Taxes".

Here's a FACT for you. In "America don't need nothing from nobody", do you realize and understand that virtually every cup of coffee you have drank in your entire life has been made with imported beans? And that millions of jobs in this country depend on those imports?

 

I am fearing that this thread will become another TOXIC political discussion.
Guys, guys, please! If we would want to rip ourselves to shreds, there are literally dozens of websites dedicated to politics. Let’s keep this website politically-free (as much as possible) and focused on our SHARED love: electronics.

 

This thread reminds me of an interview Maradona did with Pelé a few years ago in a TV show (the two greatest soccer players known in history)

A caller asked "who would you say has been the greatest (soccer) player in the world? ... you? (Maradona) or Pelé? ...

Maradona's (the host) answer: "His mom says he's the best, and my mom says I'm the best" ...

Mic drop ...

 

It was not about you, or your country, it was about what our Dear Leader is saying. Canada is my plan B if that becomes necessary.

You might be assuming they would take you. If that is your plan you might want to do a bit of research.

I don't have any clear idea how this experiment will play out, but I' pretty sure there will be industrial quantities of bitter regret, if the historical record has any predictive power.

 

I think all You guys should have a Beer and relax a little bit.
I suggest that the emphasis should be on whether or not the coming changes will be
beneficial for all concerned, in the long-run.

The changes WILL BE beneficial for everyone, eventually, it's guaranteed.

If "You" stay concerned with only your own self-interests,
You are much more likely to suffer from having that attitude.

If You instead, concentrate on what You can do to make the World a better place,
You will be amply rewarded for your sentiments and efforts.

Like the Led-Zeppelin song "Stairway to Heaven" says,
"there's always time to change the road you're on".

The things that You see going on are specifically designed to
wake You up, and get You talking, PRODUCTIVELY, with everyone You know, or run into.
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This is a really well done explanation of what the song is all about.
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You might be assuming they would take you.

I have looked into it. I believe I could easily qualify for an Investor Visa. It helps to have money.

 

I don't think anyone here has the money to make a bit of difference in the semiconductor marketplace.


https://sourceability.com/post/semiconductor-industry-news---march-2025

Intel's Delayed Ohio Chip Factory and Its Impact on U.S. Manufacturing
In contrast to TSMC’s rapid expansion, Intel’s ambitious $28 billion semiconductor factory in Ohio has experienced significant delays. Originally planned as a cornerstone of Intel’s strategy to restore chip manufacturing to the U.S. and part of the CHIPS and Science Act’s push for government approval, the delay in Ohio raises questions about Intel’s ability to meet its goals for American chip production.

Intel’s Ohio project, touted as one of the most ambitious semiconductor production facilities in the U.S., has faced delays due to logistical challenges, workforce issues, and regulatory hurdles. The facility was initially set to begin operations in 2025, but construction delays have pushed back the timeline. These setbacks are significant given Intel’s stated goal of revitalizing the U.S. semiconductor industry and reducing America’s dependence on foreign-made chips.

 

I don't think anyone here has the money to make a bit of difference in the semiconductor marketplace.


https://sourceability.com/post/semiconductor-industry-news---march-2025

Intel's Delayed Ohio Chip Factory and Its Impact on U.S. Manufacturing
In contrast to TSMC’s rapid expansion, Intel’s ambitious $28 billion semiconductor factory in Ohio has experienced significant delays. Originally planned as a cornerstone of Intel’s strategy to restore chip manufacturing to the U.S. and part of the CHIPS and Science Act’s push for government approval, the delay in Ohio raises questions about Intel’s ability to meet its goals for American chip production.

Intel’s Ohio project, touted as one of the most ambitious semiconductor production facilities in the U.S., has faced delays due to logistical challenges, workforce issues, and regulatory hurdles. The facility was initially set to begin operations in 2025, but construction delays have pushed back the timeline. These setbacks are significant given Intel’s stated goal of revitalizing the U.S. semiconductor industry and reducing America’s dependence on foreign-made chips.

The notion that we can do it all by ourselves for our own benefit is just a ludicrous fever dream. This was the lesson of the 19th and early 20th century. The children seem to have forgotten that lesson, or worse never encountered it in their limited education.

 

I don't think anyone here has the money to make a bit of difference in the semiconductor marketplace.

I am doing my fair share: I just purchased a couple of 555 and 1N4732.

My comment above is a lame attempt at satire

 

The notion that we can do it all by ourselves for our own benefit is just a ludicrous fever dream. This was the lesson of the 19th and early 20th century. The children seem to have forgotten that lesson, or worse never encountered in their limited education.

The goal was not to do it all by ourselves, the goal was to keep a viable semiconductor manufacturing base here in the face of, IMO, a de facto slave labor and CCP government paid for strategy of destroying much of the western chip manufacturing capabilities under orders of the CCP in China.
It's one of the few things this and the previous administration agrees with because the evidence of a CCP directed semiconductor market attack strategy is so obvious.

Unfortunately IMO most of the CHIPS ACT money was wasted on the wrong sectors (the bleeding edge, where we can compete in the marketplace of manufacturing) of the semiconductor marketplace instead of the mundane part of the lagging edge marketplace that makes all the part the bleeding edge devices need to run and interface with the outside world.

 

Another benefit of investing in lagging edge is that both the required investment and the risk are lower.
Payback time is therefore faster, allowing to grow into the next device generation.