[dtwest]

Creating semiconductor fabs takes billions of dollars in investment and can only be achieved by a few very large companies, most likely with government support and coordination in any country that builds them. While it is true that China has a private sector with its own set of interests, the Chinese government is already working very closely with relevant parties in this particular circumstance.

[bllguo]

that's a good point, though i still think there's something to be said for the motivational effects of both parties now being pushed to do or die

[TheAdamAndChe]

Why do semiconductor fabs cost so much? Billions of dollars seems kind of overkill.

[dragonelite]

Its pretty much the cutting edge of engineering I'm told. TSMC is planning to invest like 20 billion this year alone to stay ahead of their mainland, south Korean and potential US rivals.

Still I wouldn't be surprised that TSMC will be gutted by the US and get their tech stolen just to prop up failing Intel. That pretty much what super powers do, US has planned this really well making sure key component are all made in the US. Like the needed materials and the light source ASML uses for their EUV device.

[pkaye]

Didn't FinFET technology come through DARPA funding? Did TSMC steal that?

https://spectrum.ieee.org/semiconductors/devices/how-the-fat...

[dragonelite]

I don't know if TSMC stole it, or just bought licensed it but Wikipedia says Chenming Hu was the Chief Technology Officer at TSMC from 2001 till 2004.

[analognoise]

The 5nm TSMC Arizona fab is projected to cost $12B between 2021 and 2029.

https://www.eenewseurope.com/news/tsmc-confirms-5nm-fab-us