Last week, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger became somewhat enraged and used a highlighter in the form of geopolitical relations between Taiwan and China to undermine his plans to offer factories to Intel customers, trying to position TSMC as a risky supplier.
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During my flight yesterday, the Wall Street Journal reported that there were 27 Chinese planes in Taiwan’s airspace. How do you feel now that you have the only source of your production in Taiwan? By that I mean it’s a geopolitical risk. […] the world needs a more flexible and geopolitically balanced supply chain. We therefore see that our entry into this segment arouses great enthusiasm. — Pat Gelsinger, CEO of Intel |
Despite media calls, TSMC President Mark Liu did not comment on Gelsinger’s remarks more than in saying that there was no need to slander other companies in the industry. However, the founder and emeritus chairman of the TSMC, Morris Chang, responded. The semiconductor industry legend indicated some disappointment in Gelsinger’s statement (they know each other personally), said that his words were probably addressed to the US government, from which he might receive additional subsidies, and noted that Gelsinger was still old to Intel, because he the 65-year rule remains in the position of CEO for a maximum of 4.5 years, during which he cannot achieve his long-term plans.
Analysts then pointed out that Gelisger’s statement went a little over the line, as Intel’s CEO (or his team) probably realized, as he announced his trip to Taiwan last week. According to Bloomberg, he should talk about the importance of the local semiconductor production in order to iron out his overstep. This has now been confirmed by Gelsinger’s speech, which was published before his departure for Taiwan, especially the passage:
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At the heart of these digitization innovations is Taiwan! Home to a living ecosystem that connects technology, culture, commerce and competition as the center of our industry. At least it’s amazing what Taiwan has become in the last decades! Taiwan is also home to more than a thousand great Intel employees who have worked closely with our Taiwanese customers and products for 36 years to deliver the best products. These partnerships are our long-standing relationship with TSMC. TSMC has unlocked the magic of silicon, both for us and for others [firmám] from the industry in so many ways that it has created products that would not otherwise exist. What the TSMC has accomplished is spectacular. — Pat Gelsinger, CEO of Intel |
If you want to enjoy these words in the original and directly from Intel’s CEO, watch the following video 50 seconds ago:
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