What happens in Taiwan may not necessarily happen in Japan! The Green Committee calls for linking TSMC's plant with CPTPP

[Reporter Chen Yufu/Taipei Report] Hou Yongqing, Senior Deputy General Manager of TSMC, said in an interview with TV Tokyo a few days ago that TSMC will not rule out the construction of a new factory in Kumamoto. Democratic Progressive Party legislator Guo Guowen pointed out at the Economic Committee of the Legislative Yuan today that TSMC is going to set up a factory in Japan.

Democratic Progressive Party legislator Guo Guowen pointed out at the Economic Committee of the Legislative Yuan today that the Ministry of Economic Affairs must consider the need to link up with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) regarding TSMC’s going to Japan to set up a factory. Before it even started, Taiwan was about to have trouble, but Japan might not be. If TSMC kept sending it there, Taiwan would have trouble, but Japan might not.

(Photo by reporter Chen Yufu)

The Economic Committee of the Legislative Yuan reviewed the "Draft Amendment to Article 10-2 and Article 72 of the Industrial Innovation Regulations" known as the "Taiwan version of the Chip Act". view?

Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Meihua responded that TSMC will definitely apply to the government when investing abroad. Currently, there is only one factory in Japan.

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Guo Guowen questioned that TSMC’s Kumamoto plant will only be in operation in September 2023. Before the first plant is in operation, Japan has said that it will set up a second plant. Does the Ministry of Economic Affairs agree that TSMC’s advanced manufacturing process will go to Japan?

Wang Meihua said, "At present, TSMC has not come to tell us." TSMC needs to discuss with the government if it wants to invest abroad.

Wang Meihua mentioned that EUV technology will be used below 7 nanometers. TSMC will explain to the government whether TSMC will go to Japan to set up a factory.

As for TSMC going to the U.S., it is because most markets for IC designs below 7nm are in the U.S., and TSMC is cooperating with Japan on automotive chips.

Guo Guowen emphasized that regarding TSMC going to Japan to set up a factory, the Ministry of Economic Affairs must consider that it must be linked with the CPTPP, because after Taiwan lifted the ban on Fukushima Foods, our side has not yet started informal negotiations on participating in the CPTPP, and we cannot use all TSMC’s bargaining chips. Send it over, "Minister! Can you understand me when I say this?" Wang Meihua said, "Understandable."

Guo Guowen pointed out that when the CPTPP informal negotiation has not yet started, Taiwan is about to have trouble, but Japan may not necessarily have trouble, so if TSMC keeps sending it there, it will become Taiwan. Take this into account.

Wang Meihua responded, "We understand the concerns of the committee members."

Xie Yifeng, a legislator of the Kuomintang, pointed out that whether the semiconductor supply chain is "de-Taiwanized" is an ideological issue. What she is more concerned about is that if TSMC keeps key advanced manufacturing processes in Taiwan, it will indeed arouse Taiwan's stable development. International attention.

However, the vice president of TSMC said in an exclusive interview with Japanese media a few days ago that in addition to the new factory in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan is considering setting up a new factory in Japan. , also set up a design center in Osaka.

Wang Meihua responded that, as far as she knows, TSMC has cooperation with Japanese companies. Because some technologies are only available in Japan, they went to Japan to set up a design center. This is IC packaging. Combining with the latest Japanese technology can make the packaging more efficient. Well, this is not Taiwanese technology.

Xie Yifeng questioned that Taiwan has the "silicon shield" of TSMC because TSMC remains in Taiwan. If TSMC gradually integrates R&D and design with Japanese manufacturers, the relevant supply chain will be moved to the United States and Japan to maintain Taiwan's peaceful and stable "silicon shield". Does the shield still exist?

Wang Meihua emphasized that this can make Taiwan stronger. This is technology research and development, which is different from technology outflow.

Xie Yifeng further said that if the supply chain is moved to the United States and Japan, the future upstream, midstream and downstream industrial chains will be formed in the United States and Japan!

Wang Meihua said, that's not the case!

The research and development of advanced manufacturing processes will definitely be done in Taiwan, and the cooperation in Japan will increase the additional cooperation, and the increase will be more, which will contribute to Taiwan.

Xie Yifeng criticized that there are different opinions in the domestic industry today. They believe that the revision of the Industrial Innovation Regulations is tailor-made for TSMC. Everyone has to ask what TSMC's corporate responsibility is, or is it because Special Envoy Zhang Zhongmou believes that his wife Zhang Shufen's operation in the foundation is better than that of the government? Powerful, than the government can give back to the local area or Taiwan?

Wang Meihua responded, first, the provisions of the amendment will not only be applicable to TSMC, and several technologies have been reviewed, and some manufacturers are also applicable.

For example, system packaging and 3C packaging are relatively advanced internationally, and they can be applied if they meet the threshold. Silicon carbide semiconductors are also cutting-edge, and they all play an important role in the international supply chain.

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What happens in Taiwan may not necessarily happen in Japan! The Green Committee calls for linking TSMC's plant with CPTPP