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TSMC plans to halt chip supplies to Huawei in 2 months

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Re: TSMC plans to halt chip supplies to Huawei in 2 months

#61
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I guess time will tell.

The patterning machines used for the leading node isn't exported to China due to export restrictions. Only the Dutch company ASML is able to manufacture these patterning machines.

Yes, and China has started a program to make EUV patterning machines a few years ago. Time will tell if it will work, but I don't really see why it wouldn't, given enough time.

Meanwhile, they have 14nm.

Re: TSMC plans to halt chip supplies to Huawei in 2 months

#62
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Russia should use its special services within the borders of the United States to fuel instability and separatism, for instance, provoke "Afro-American racists". Russia should "introduce geopolitical disorder into internal American activity, encouraging all kinds of separatism and ethnic, social and racial conflicts, actively supporting all dissident movements – extremist, racist, and sectarian groups, thus destabil…

It's wishful thinking to hope that people realize there's more in common than differences. Class/racial strife is the most effective bludgeon remaining, unlike traditional nations surrounded by enemies where suspicions can be inflamed effectively (ex: "It's the '-ists!'"). The Project Lincoln co-founder John Weaver is a registered foreign agent (Russia), a spy, endorsing a political candidate.

Your comment seems awfully misleading and inflammatory considering John Weaver publicly announced that he has cancelled the contract with ROSATOM and did not accept any money.

Further, a “spy”? There’s no evidence of that.

Re: TSMC plans to halt chip supplies to Huawei in 2 months

#63
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I guess time will tell.

The patterning machines used for the leading node isn't exported to China due to export restrictions. Only the Dutch company ASML is able to manufacture these patterning machines.

I don't think it will take long to surpass ASML if the state commits to it and decides the ASML patents don't matter any more.

There's enough public knowledge about EUV to clone the machines if starting with unlimited financial resources and no legal constraints.

Re: TSMC plans to halt chip supplies to Huawei in 2 months

#65
post #27
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The next shoe to drop will be if ASML cuts off Chinese chipmakers. ASML absolutely dominates fab tech.

Or the Dutch government bows to pressure from the US and makes the decision for them.

Or maybe they did it by themselves because they are capable of independent decision making. Just the other day someone here was loudly proclaiming we shouldn't be interested in US politics from overseas because it doesn't affect us. HN should make up its mind about this in a well reasoned way.

Re: TSMC plans to halt chip supplies to Huawei in 2 months

#66
What's to prevent China from re-branding Huawei, or something along those lines? Then, US / UK / Taiwanese companies could say: we're no longer dealing with Huawei. We're dealing with Uawei. It's different? China could do something like that indefinitely, as a workaround, no? Or, China could just have any number of new shell companies order TSMC parts, and then hand them over to Huawei.

Re: TSMC plans to halt chip supplies to Huawei in 2 months

#67
post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The patterning machines used for the leading node isn't exported to China due to export restrictions. Only the Dutch company ASML is able to manufacture these patterning machines.

I don't think it will take long to surpass ASML if the state commits to it and decides the ASML patents don't matter any more. There's enough public knowledge about EUV to clone the machines if starting with unlimited financial resources and no legal constraints.

That's so funny. ASML holds the market for a reason, this is not so simple. You could probably do it on a Friday night but the Chinese may take a bit longer than that.

Re: TSMC plans to halt chip supplies to Huawei in 2 months

#68
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, exactly. TSMC has the premier process right now and is at capacity making chips for Apple, Qualcomm and other high margin (i.e. well-paying) customers. Cutting off the oddball folks for PR reasons costs them nothing at the moment.

Huawei is bigger than Apple. It's not exactly an oddball.

By what measure? They have less than half the revenue, and only 9b in profits last year.

Re: TSMC plans to halt chip supplies to Huawei in 2 months

#69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Huawei is bigger than Apple. It's not exactly an oddball.

By what measure? They have less than half the revenue, and only 9b in profits last year.

Total phone sales, in number of units, which is what matters when figuring out how many chips to make, as well as market share as a proportion of units.

Re: TSMC plans to halt chip supplies to Huawei in 2 months

#70
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, exactly. TSMC has the premier process right now and is at capacity making chips for Apple, Qualcomm and other high margin (i.e. well-paying) customers. Cutting off the oddball folks for PR reasons costs them nothing at the moment.

Huawei is bigger than Apple. It's not exactly an oddball.

Not as a TSMC fab customer it isn't, not remotely. The overwhelming bulk of Huawei's revenue remains in device manufacturing. They're a very recent entrant into the SoC market, and not moving a lot of product there.
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