The geopolitics of chips: Chips in the USA

In this episode of the Tech Tonic podcast from the Financial Times, the discussion centers on the challenges America faces in revitalizing its domestic semiconductor industry. While the CHIPS Act provides substantial incentives to attract companies like TSMC to build manufacturing facilities in the U.S., there are still significant hurdles to overcome. These include high labor and production costs, a skills gap that necessitates extensive workforce training, and political uncertainty regarding future government support. The episode underscores the vital role of chip manufacturing in ensuring national security and maintaining competitiveness with China, stressing that real success will depend on addressing these challenges and developing a strong domestic sector, rather than simply relying on foreign investment.