BLUF

Australia depends on foreign-controlled microchip technology, exposing us to considerable defence and economic risks—semiconductors are vital to a modern economy such as Australia's.

Summary

Alex Capri and Robert Clark, writing in the Strategist, make the following points:
  • Taiwan manufactures around 60% of the world’s semiconductors and 90% of advanced chips.
  • A national semiconductor plan costing around one and a half billion dollars could create $five billion in manufacturing activity.
  • The US and the EU subsidise semiconductor sectors.
  • Internationally ‘managed trade’ and pragmatic techno-nationalism can result in a chip shortage.
  • The Australian National Fabrication Facility could support a chip manufacturing industry.
Learn more about why Australia should consider manufacturing computer chips.

References

Source Information: the Strategist