Source: Taiwan Zhongshi News Network
Author: Yin Qiming
TSMC issued a press release on May 15, 2020, and at the beginning, it stated that: with the common understanding and promise support of the US federal government and Arizona, it intends to build and operate a advanced semiconductor factory in the United States.It will use TSMC 5nm technology, the main purpose is to provide better services for customers and partners and attract global talents.At this time, TSMC's most advanced 5nm process has just entered mass production.
Although in the press release, TSMC praised the investment environment in the United States, but everyone knows that the company made this decision under the pressure and commitment of the US government, because the so -called technical manpower is the shortage of American talents.And the deterioration of the investment environment is also the main reason for the loss of semi -conductive manufacturing in the United States. What the outside world wants to know is that the Trump administration has given TSMC a specific reward commitment?
By 2022, Zhang Zhongmou, the founder of TSMC, frequently publicly criticized: "The cost of investing in and operating semiconductors in the United States is more than 50%higher than Taiwan." The issue of TSMC's investment in the United States has attracted attention from all walks of life in Taiwan.In fact, what has been seen so far is that the cost of building factories in the United States is not only more than 50%higher, but also may be several times higher than.
But just on December 5 last year, at the TSMC's new plant movement ceremony, Zhang Zhongmou criticized "Globalization is almost dead and free trade is almost dead" in front of President Biden.At the same time, it is announced that not only will we increase from the original investment of US $ 12 billion to $ 40 billion, but also expand a three -nanometer factory, which is earlier than the 3 -nanometer mass production and expansion ceremony that will only be held in Taiwan on December 29.The outside world is even more puzzled: TSMC's investment in the United States will damage the company's profits. Therefore, it will damage TSMC's research and development and reinvestment capabilities. At the same time, it hurts shareholders' rights and interests.
TSMC's U.S. factory is almost completed, and the U.S. government has announced the application method of the chip bill subsidy on the 28th of last month.It is a pile of feet and handcuffs.The so -called subsidy includes three federal guarantees for direct subsidies, federal loans and third -party loans. The only direct subsidy of foreign investors has substantial significance.More than 35%of capital expenditure.
In order to get the aforementioned cup of water -saving subsidies, the acceptance of subsidies must be subject to many restrictions. Among them, "the recipients must restrict their ability to expand semiconductor manufacturing such as the expansion of semiconductor manufacturing in mainland China within 10 years" is the chip billThere are some regulations that a major price for subsidized companies must pay.
In addition to restricting the development of subsidized enterprises on the mainland, the main provisions include: 1. Forbidden stocks from repurchase of stocks; 2. A subsidiary with direct subsidies reached more than $ 150 million, their capital flow or remuneration exceeds applicants more than applicantsThe expectations and exceeding the established threshold must be shared with the government (that is, the regulations of the demeanor); 3. The company must propose a manpower development plan for factories and factories to meet the government's excellent work principles;Factory operations and construction workers can bear, convenient, reliable, and high -quality children's care programs; 5. Strongly encourage labor agreement for construction projects for construction projects.
In other words, this subsidy method of the US government has many irrelevant policies, which not only hurts the competitiveness of enterprises, but also increases the implementation cost of industrial policies, and has remembered the main significance of reviving its semiconductor industry.In particular, the "government division" is a negative encouragement measure, encouraging enterprises to lower their profits, and is a disguised punishment for companies with strong competitiveness.In addition, in accordance with the principle of business operations, only the profitable creators and employees who can be moisturized are only profitable creators and employees.As a representative of a capitalist country, from this subsidy method, we can see how the US government has fallen to.
What is even more affectionate is TSMC, with its leading position in global semiconductor manufacturing and investing in the world's most advanced process in the United States. It is of great significance to the United States.Talk about related rewards and assistance matters, and announced an increase in expanding investment before the relevant reward measures were announced. Today, many poisonous pills are hidden in the face of the cost of setting up factories in the United States, the US government subsidy regulations, etc. In the future, the overall operation has encountered major challenges.Can the U.S. government scam and the Taiwan government is incompetent.
(the author is the former chairman of the Taiwan Economic Construction Council and the former Economic Minister)
