Today, Explained Battlechips
6 snips
Aug 3, 2023 
Alex W. Palmer, a contributing writer at The New York Times Magazine and expert on the US-China tech conflict, explores the intense semiconductor rivalry between the US and China. He highlights China's recent bans on critical materials like gallium and germanium, which are vital for tech production. The discussion delves into the implications of these trade tensions on global supply chains and national security. Palmer sheds light on the strategic shift from 'decoupling' to 'de-risking' amidst growing geopolitical uncertainties.
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Tech War Escalates
- The U.S. blocked advanced semiconductor chips and related technology from China.
- China retaliated by restricting exports of gallium and germanium, key materials for chips.
US Blockade Goals
- The U.S. blockade aims to prevent China from developing advanced AI and military tech.
- This is driven by national security concerns and human rights issues.
Semiconductor Power
- Semiconductor chips, made of silicon carved with transistors, power modern technology.
- Billions of these microscopic transistors fit on a single chip, enabling complex computations.