# Episode 29: The Myth of Semiconductor Industry Deglobization

- Show: [The Circuit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit)
- Published: 2023-08-15
- Length: 28m
- Episode: 31
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-08-15-episode-29-the-myth-of-semiconductor-industry-deglobization
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/24620796

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-08-15-episode-29-the-myth-of-semiconductor-industry-deglobization#t=12) Introduction: The Circuit and Episode Overview
- [3:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-08-15-episode-29-the-myth-of-semiconductor-industry-deglobization#t=221) Taiwan Elections and Political Narratives on Chips
- [7:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-08-15-episode-29-the-myth-of-semiconductor-industry-deglobization#t=469) Infrastructure, Intel, and TSMC's Global Strategy
- [13:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-08-15-episode-29-the-myth-of-semiconductor-industry-deglobization#t=823) Cost Disadvantages of US Manufacturing vs. Taiwan
- [16:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-08-15-episode-29-the-myth-of-semiconductor-industry-deglobization#t=984) Capability vs. Economics and China's Trade Stats
- [20:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-08-15-episode-29-the-myth-of-semiconductor-industry-deglobization#t=1231) The Talent Shortage and Immigration Challenges
- [24:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-08-15-episode-29-the-myth-of-semiconductor-industry-deglobization#t=1456) Workplace Culture and Attracting Engineers

## Topics

- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- TSMC (company)
- Intel (company)
- Pat Gelsinger (other)
- Morris Chang (other)
- Apple (company)
- NVIDIA (company)
- Broadcom (company)
- Lux Capital (company)
- Josh Wolfe (other)
- Ben Bajarin (other)
- Jay Goldberg (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Unpacking Semiconductor Packaging: Insights with Jan Vardaman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-04-23-unpacking-semiconductor-packaging-insights-with-jan-vardaman) (OnTrack)
- [271: Preparing Manufacturers for the Semiconductor Boom: Insights from SEMICON West and Beyond](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-01-20-271-preparing-manufacturers-for-the-semiconductor-boom-insights-from-semicon-wes) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [I’m the CHIPS bill / Stuck on Capitol Hill…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2022-02-04-im-the-chips-bill-stuck-on-capitol-hill) (EE Times Current)
- [That's an Electronica 2024 Wrap with Eric and Phil: Show Success, Globalization, Politics, Inventory, Labor, AI and More](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-01-21-thats-an-electronica-2024-wrap-with-eric-and-phil-show-success-globalization-pol) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Solar Cells, SparkFun, TSMC - The Detroit Debunking](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-01-05-solar-cells-sparkfun-tsmc-the-detroit-debunking) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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