US-China tech competition - Geography Ebooks | TheGeoecologist

Question 1

Why is Taiwan so critical to semiconductor geopolitics?

Accepted Answer

Taiwan produces over 90% of the world's advanced logic chips (below 7nm) through TSMC, creating a single point of failure for global technology supply chains. Any disruption—whether from natural disaster, pandemic, or conflict—would cascade through automotive, AI, defense, and consumer electronics sectors worldwide.

Question 2

What are the U.S. CHIPS Act and export controls trying to achieve?

Accepted Answer

The CHIPS Act provides $52.7 billion to incentivize domestic semiconductor manufacturing and R&D. Export controls (October 2022, updated 2023) restrict China's access to advanced chips, EUV lithography tools, and U.S. engineering support—aiming to maintain a technological edge in AI and military applications.

Question 3

Can China achieve semiconductor self-sufficiency?

Accepted Answer

China has made progress (SMIC's 7nm, Huawei's Kirin 9000S) but faces fundamental barriers: no access to ASML's EUV lithography, dependence on foreign equipment/suppliers, talent gaps, and yield challenges. Full self-sufficiency at the leading edge (3nm/2nm) remains years away, though mature-node independence is advancing faster.

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Semiconductor Geopolitics: Why the World Fights Over Chips Smaller Than a Fingernail