In a surprising turn of events, tech giant Intel, with assistance from President Donald Trump, may transfer control of its chip manufacturing plants to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). This move signals a new chapter in the longstanding rivalry between Intel and TSMC, with the former seemingly conceding its manufacturing prowess to the latter.
The move comes amidst ongoing supply chain issues faced by Intel, compounded by increasing competition in chip manufacturing. By handing control to TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, Intel aims to strengthen its operations and safeguard its global supply chain. The involvement of Trump also points to the strategic importance of the semiconductor industry to the US economy and national security. Not less important is the political wrangling involved, with the US seeking to establish chip production capabilities away from China amid rising geopolitical tensions.
