Tsmc, Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix and other semiconductor manufacturers had to fill out a questionnaire for the US Department of Commerce. All the details
The semiconductor crisis, which began with the increased demand for technological tools due to the pandemic and continued due to other events (drought in Taiwan, fires in factories and blackouts, blockade of the Suez canal with Ever Given) it has been going on for months now and companies are no longer able to sustain production rates, as well as being in the midst of a supply chain crisis.
Companies of the caliber of Apple and Intel, due to the lack of chips, are unable to keep up and are already predicting huge losses. But now, the US wants to see it straight and is asking for answers from semiconductor manufacturers such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (Tsmc) to improve transparency within the supply chain. WHAT TSMC REVEALED
Tsmc, the largest independent semiconductor factory in the world as well as a major supplier of Apple, has reportedly provided the United States with information regarding its inventory and delivery methods.
However, the company has reassured customers by saying that it has not disclosed their sensitive data and remains “committed to protecting the confidentiality” of its customers “as always, ensuring that no specific customer information is disclosed in the response,” reports the agency. of printing. WHY TSMC WHISPERED THE USA
On September 23, the US Department of Commerce, through the secretary Gina Raimondo and the director of the Economic Council, Brian Deese, asked several companies, including not only Tsmc but also the South Korean Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, to voluntarily provide information on its inventory so that we can better understand the global chip shortage.
In the event of a lack of collaboration, Raimondo had made it known that the United States would draw “other tools from the toolbox” with which the companies would be required to share information. For example, the Defense Production Act.
Companies have had 45 days to submit the required information. The deadline was set for yesterday, Monday 8 November. WHO ELSE COLLABORATED
Other companies, 23 in all, including Micron Technology, Western Digital and United Microelectronics, the Taipei Times read, filed their comments ahead of yesterday’s deadline. CONCERNS ABOUT BUSINESS SECRETS
However, Reuters reports, the US request has sparked concerns from the South Korean and Taiwanese industry over trade secrets.
Last week, two sources quoted by the news agency reported that Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix – the two largest memory chip makers in the world – were planning not to say everything to Washington at all. The Taipei Times writes that South Korean tech companies have been negotiating with the United States on the scope of the data to be presented.
Finally, China fears that the United States may use this information to further sanction its companies. WHAT TAIWAN SAID
Tsmc’s choice did not meet with opposition from Taipei Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua, who said she was confident in the company’s confidentiality and in its ability to protect customer data.
However, the Taiwanese government, although it said it respects US trade law, has also announced it will support domestic businesses in the event of “unreasonable demands”. ALL THE NUMBERS OF TSMC
Given the large shortage of chips and the serious consequences that are affecting the industry, Tsmc said it plans to spend 100 billion dollars over the next three years to expand the capacity of the chips.
According to local media, the sales forecast for 2021 is expected to reach $ 56.6 billion – up 24.4% from last year.
