The Biden administration has promised a whopping $6.6 billion to a Taiwanese semiconductor company, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), to expand its facilities in Arizona. This move aims to ensure the production of the most advanced microchips domestically for the first time. Gina Raimondo, the Commerce Secretary, highlighted the importance of these chips, stating they are crucial for artificial intelligence and various technologies driving the economy and national security.
This funding is part of the CHIPS and Science Act, a $280 billion package aimed at reviving semiconductor manufacturing in the United States. President Biden views this initiative as essential for enhancing military technology and reducing supply disruptions like those experienced during the 2021 chip shortage caused by the pandemic.
The administration’s goal is to reduce reliance on Asian suppliers, seen as a security vulnerability, by supporting the construction of U.S. chip foundries. President Biden emphasized the significance of TSMC’s commitment to the U.S. and its investment in Arizona, aligning with the broader strategy of promoting American-made semiconductor manufacturing.
TSMC, known for producing nearly all leading-edge microchips globally, initiated construction of its first facility in Phoenix in 2021, with plans for a second hub already underway. The company will invest a total of $40 billion in these projects, with an additional $25 billion for a third facility expected to start producing microchips by the end of the decade.
These investments are projected to position the U.S. to produce around 20% of the world’s leading-edge chips by 2030, creating thousands of manufacturing and construction jobs in Arizona. The government also plans to allocate $50 million for workforce training and offer approximately $5 billion in loans through the CHIPS and Science Act to support these efforts.
Lael Brainard, director of the White House National Economic Council, hailed TSMC’s commitment as a significant milestone for America’s semiconductor industry. The announcement coincided with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s visit to China, although administration officials emphasized that the focus was solely on advancing U.S. manufacturing without involving geopolitical considerations related to Taiwan. TSMC’s CEO, C.C. Wei, expressed commitment to the success of their Arizona site, signaling a new chapter for semiconductor manufacturing in America.
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