Posted on 05/24/2024 11:12:00 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
* Chipmakers ASML and TSMC can disable advanced chipmaking machines remotely, Bloomberg reports.
* The move addresses growing fears of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, a key semiconductor producer.
* A China-Taiwan conflict could severely impact the global economy.
Two of the world's most important chip companies can flip a "kill switch" remotely on their most advanced chipmaking machines should China invade Taiwan, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The Netherlands' ASML — Europe's top tech company by market value — supplies advanced machines to chipmaking companies. They include Taiwan's TSMC, which produces, by some estimates, 90% of the world's most advanced processor chips.
The news of a forced shutdown, or a "kill switch," on ASML's chipmaking gear comes amid intensifying rivalry between Washington and Beijing and mounting concerns over a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory.
Taiwan is the world's epicenter for semiconductor chips, the ubiquitous parts that are used in products from data centers to smartphones. A war in the region would have major consequences for the global economy.
The US, citing national security concerns, imposed restrictions on China under the Advanced Computing Chips Rule in November. The restrictions make it harder for the East Asian giant to import advanced AI chips from American manufacturers.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
Shut down technology world wide.
Black swan event for stocks
Xxxxxx
Need to make chips on shore
A successful kill switch could just be opening up the cleanroom to the salt air. Silicon and salt don’t mix.
Yup.
If I know the Taiwanse, they have a kill switch, AND a resurrection switch.
Duh, got it know. (pounding head with fist)
Too soon? I smell a bluff. The threat of a shutoff switch is cheap insurance, easy to say, not so easy to do.
I swear we heard this story years ago but I can’t remember just when.
“Gee maybe it would be a good idea to make chips here, don’cha think?”
That’s crazy talk.
L
The problem with TMC USA is that there are not enough Taiwanese workers in Arizona, only poorly educated Americans and illegal aliens.
I have heard that TSMC had that complaint.
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