Odd Lots This Is What the US Just Did to China on Semiconductors
9 snips
Oct 24, 2022 
Chris Miller, a professor at the Fletcher School and author of "Chip War," dives into the recent U.S. export restrictions on semiconductors to China. He unpacks the significance of these measures for China’s tech ambitions and national security. The conversation touches on the historical context of semiconductor diplomacy, the impact of the pandemic on supply dynamics, and the potential consequences of military action in Taiwan on chip production. Miller paints a vivid picture of the strategic importance of semiconductors in today’s global landscape.
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Semiconductor Transfer Limits
- The US has limited semiconductor technology transfers since their invention, initially focusing on the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
- This is driven by the military applications of chips, originating from miniaturizing computing for missiles.
Semiconductor Concentration
- Semiconductors are more geographically concentrated than oil, with Taiwan producing over a third of processor chips and ASML holding a monopoly on EUV lithography.
- This concentration makes semiconductor supply chains more vulnerable to disruptions than oil.
2020 Auto Chip Shortage
- The 2020 auto chip shortage wasn't a chip shortage, but automakers mismanaging chip orders.
- They cut orders during COVID, and chipmakers reallocated capacity to booming smartphone and PC demand.
