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Taiwanology

【Taiwanology Ep.3】TSMC founder talks chips with Chris Miller

Apr 11, 2023
Morris Chang, the 91-year-old founder of TSMC and a pivotal figure in semiconductor manufacturing, teams up with Chris Miller, an Associate Professor of International History at Tufts University. They discuss Taiwan's critical role in the global chip supply chain and how TSMC became a leader in the industry. Chang raises thought-provoking points on the U.S. friendshoring strategy and critiques the American CHIPS Act. The conversation also covers the economic implications of relocating chip production and the future landscape of the semiconductor industry.
29:17

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Morris Chang emphasizes Taiwan's crucial role in semiconductor manufacturing, highlighting TSMC's innovative model as essential for global tech infrastructure.
  • The podcast discusses the challenges of self-sufficiency in semiconductors, noting that globalization's decline may increase production costs and complicate supply chains.

Deep dives

Taiwan's Role in the Semiconductor Industry

Taiwan occupies a central role in the global semiconductor supply chain, largely due to the innovative foundry business model pioneered by Morris Chang, founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). This strategic positioning is underscored by the significant influence of TSMC in the industry, which is critical for understanding modern technological frameworks. According to American historian Chris Miller, a comprehensive analysis of the contemporary world cannot dismiss the pivotal importance of semiconductors, and TSMC stands at the heart of this narrative. The interplay of TSMC's design and manufacturing capabilities has uniquely placed Taiwan as a linchpin in global tech production.

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