Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) founder Morris Chang (張忠謀) yesterday confirmed that the company plans to produce its most advanced 3-nanometer chips in the US as part of the company’s phase 2 plan at its plant in Phoenix, Arizona.
The 91-year-old entrepreneur, who has been appointed as Taiwan’s envoy to APEC six times, yesterday morning held a news conference at the Presidential Office Building to discuss his delegation’s accomplishments at this year’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Bangkok, which ended on Saturday.
He was asked whether TSMC has plans to build advanced chips in the US.
Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times
“TSMC’s plant in Arizona is to produce 5-nanometer chips, which comprise the most advanced chip design in the US now, but the company is able to produce 3-nanometer chips, which is its newest technology,” Chang said.
Asked whether TSMC plans to produce 3-nanometer chips in the US, Chang said: “Yes, after it begins producing 5-nanometer chips.”
“The phase 1 plan at the Phoenix plant is to manufacture 5-nanometer chips and the production of 3-nanometer chips would be in phase 2,” he added.
Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times
Chang said that he and his wife plan to attend a ceremony in Phoenix on Dec. 6 to launch chip manufacturing at the plant, adding that US President Joe Biden and US Secretary of Commerce Gina Marie Raimondo have been invited to the ceremony.
“We are not sure if President Biden will attend, but the secretary is scheduled to attend the ceremony in Phoenix,” he said.
Representatives from the company’s customers and suppliers, along with US lawmakers, would also be present, Chang said.
Chang was also asked about Dutch chipmaker ASML Holding NV’s plan to operate a semiconductor machinery plant in New Taipei City, and whether it constitutes an example of global diversification in chip production.
“Many countries have only begun to realize that chips are essential products, and envy and admire Taiwan for having such products and technology. During the APEC forum, I was approached by quite a few representatives inquiring about whether TSMC could produce chips in their countries,” Chang said.
He did not say which countries made the inquiries, saying only that “it is impossible for TSMC to have chip production plants in so many different places.”
Reporters also asked Chang about his encounter with Chinese President Xi Jingping (習近平) in Bangkok, where he reportedly congratulated Xi for securing a third term at the Chinese Communist Party’s 20th National Party Congress.
Chang said it was his personal comment and he did not discuss it with the Presidential Office prior to his meeting with Xi.
“The only instruction from the Presidential Office was that I do not have to avoid meeting him [Xi] or greeting him if the opportunity presents itself. As to congratulating President Xi for his achievement at the National Party Congress, that was just my own sentiment,” he said.
National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Hsu Szu-chien (徐斯儉) said President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) respects the way that Chang chose to interact with Xi.
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