Company founder Morris Chang says the world has just realized the importance of cutting-edge chips.
Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC is planning to produce chips with cutting-edge 3-nanometer technology at its new plant in the US state of Arizona, but the plan has yet to be finalized, company founder Morris Chang said. know on Monday.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Apple’s main supplier and the world’s largest contract chipmaker, is building a $12 billion factory in Arizona.
Last year, Reuters news agency reported that TSMC plans to build more chip factories in Arizona, including discussions over whether its next plant should be more advanced to be able to produce chips. with 3 nanometer technology compared to 5 nanometer chips that are slower, less efficient or not. will be rolled out when the facility begins production.
Chang, speaking to reporters in Taipei after returning from the APEC summit in Thailand, said the 3-nanometer plant will be located at the same site in Arizona as the 5-nanometer plant.
Chang, who has retired from TSMC but remains influential in the company and the chip industry in general: “At the moment, TSMC has a plan, but it is not yet finalized.
“It’s almost done – at the same location in Arizona, phase two. Five nanometers is phase one, 3 nanometers is phase two.”
TSMC, Asia’s most valuable listed company, declined to comment.
The company will hold a “tool handover” ceremony in Arizona on December 6.
Chang said he will attend alongside TSMC customers and suppliers and US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.
Chang added that US President Joe Biden had also been invited, but he did not know if he would attend.
Taiwan’s dominant position as a maker of chips used in technology ranging from cell phones to cars to fighter jets has raised concerns that the world is too dependent on the island. , especially when China increases military pressure to assert its sovereignty claim.
The US and Europe are offering billions of dollars in incentives to bring chip companies closer to home, especially to attract Taiwanese companies.
Chang said people have just realized the importance of chips.
“There are a lot of people who are jealous, envious of Taiwan’s excellent chip manufacturing capabilities,” he said. “So there’s also a lot of people for various reasons, whether it’s for national security or for money, hoping to produce more chips in their country.”
Chang said during his meetings at APEC, “Many countries have asked me, can we go to their countries to make chips?”
He did not say which countries they were.
