its always interesting to read the comments on HN regarding China/Taiwan situation. Chinese invasion (Taiwan) threat is always there. It didn't stop when Nixon visit China and it didn't stop when American abandoned Taiwan to have a business relationship with China for more than 40 years. the threat is so old now. there are some running jokes in Taiwan like "China threatening to invade Taiwan since my grandpa is alive…
Why throw money at intel? Throw it at TSMC and in an emergency you’ll be able to nationalize domestic production. TSMC has more to lose if they displease America and there’s a non trivial concern about supply chains sourced outside the US for highly secure use by banks and government agencies. XRaying AI tech for incoming boards and stuff being a thing is indicative of the problem. With the most sensitive data any variance can indicate a back door that would be nearly impossible to detect. This isn’t science fiction, and there are more nation states and groups involved than just a single government. By making an American sourced vertical production capability we can essentially “license” a more plausibly secure and auditable by your own courts and investigative forces for supply chain security. They shouldn’t prop up inefficient domestic manufacturers when they can in source the capital assets which is 99% of the value in a supply chain. The ability to execute the supply chain is likely embedded in the production facilities and in a legit emergency can be cut off from a foreign owner at any time by a stroke of the pen, and in an emergency it would be with congressional support. It’s a brilliantly smart move and a refreshing shift to actual geopolitical chess.