Episode 29: The Myth of Semiconductor Industry Deglobization
Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the political narratives around semiconductor deglobization, arguing that the industry's deeply intertwined global supply chain makes true decoupling impossible. They highlight the economic and talent challenges of moving manufacturing, noting that TSMC's Arizona fab faces higher costs and recruitment hurdles compared to its operations in Taiwan. The hosts emphasize that while countries like the US, China, and Taiwan are investing in local capacity, the lack of trained engineers and the high cost of fabs mean that global cooperation remains economically necessary.