The Impact of US-China Tensions on Global Chip Industry and Tech Advances

The US will not be able to prevent Chinese companies like Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) and Huawei Technologies from advancing in chip technology, according to Burn J. Lin, a former vice president at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC). SMIC and Huawei have already demonstrated their ability to produce sophisticated silicon using existing machines, and they may continue to experiment with new materials and chip packaging to further enhance their semiconductor capabilities. Lin argues that instead of trying to limit China's progress, the US should focus on maintaining its chip design leadership.