BEIJING (Reuters) -Taiwan’s biggest earthquake since 1999 is likely to cause some disruption across Asia’s semiconductor supply chain, analysts said, after chipmakers from TSMC to UMC halted some operations to inspect facilities and relocate employees.
The powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan’s eastern coast near Hualien County on Wednesday morning, killing nine people and injuring 800.
The island plays an outsized role in the global chip supply chain as it is home to the world’s largest chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, which supplies chips to Apple and Nvidia.
The country also houses smaller chipmakers, including UMC, Vanguard International Semiconductor, and Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing.
I dunno, maybe this is crazy, and there are reasons to consolidate critical manufacturing all in one geographic place, but maybe, just maybe if we spread these things out a bit, it might reduce risk? I’m just spitballin’ here. Remember when the ONE factory making spray blown N-95 masks turned out to be in Wuhan?
In their defense, Taiwan has been very strategic in making themselves extremely critical in one of the most important industries in the modern world. Keeps China from fucking with them too much cause it keeps everyone having a vested interest in protecting them
So what is good for Taiwan may not be good for the rest of the world? That’s sad. Though I can better understand their motivation, with this tidbit of knowledge. TY!
Not the treats!
