Intel CEO Arrives in Taiwan for Visit 晶片荒難解 英特爾執行長來台訪台積電

On Dec. 13, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger arrived in Taiwan for a visit. There are reports that the purpose of his visit is to secure TSMC's 3-nanometer chips.

A private plane landed at Taoyuan International Airport on Dec. 13. The Ministry of Economic Affairs confirmed that the plane carried Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger. He entered Taiwan under the "economic bubble" program. In a pre-recorded video, he explained the reason for his visit to Taiwan.

Pat Gelsinger, CEO, Intel: “The shortage that we are all grappling with has highlighted the importance not only of semiconductors but of supply chains. Our longstanding relationship with TSMC... TSMC has unlocked the magic of silicon for us and others in the industry in so many ways.”

Gelsinger is expected to keep a low profile while in Taiwan, and will not make any public appearances. Economic Affairs Minister Wang Mei-hua said Gelsinger won't be meeting with her. Recently, Gelsinger tried to stop the US government from giving TSMC subsidies to establish a fab there. He also said, "Taiwan is not a stable place." In the video, he said Intel and TSMC's relationship is close and also praised Taiwan.

Pat Gelsinger, CEO, Intel: “...Taiwan, home to an entire, vibrant ecosystem that weaves together technology... together, as a hub in our industry. It is nothing short of amazing what Taiwan has become in the last several decades.”

Lin Chuan-neng, Vice Economic Affairs Minister: “I believe he (Pat Gelsinger) will have many topics to discuss. As for which manufacturers he invited, I think TSMC must be one of them.”

It's believed that this trip is an attempt to resolve next year's chip supply crisis. There are reports that Intel and TSMC will reach an agreement on orders of 3-nanometer chips. The Taiwan Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers Association said the chip shortage problem is expected to improve in the second half of 2022, and the supply will return to normal for electrical and electronics manufacturers.

Richard Lee, Chair, Taiwan Electrical & Electronics Manufacturers Assoc.: “Of course, there is an effect, although we feel there has been an improvement. Things will continue improving in the first half of next year and should return to normal in the second half. ”

The association said that as demand increases, the shipping momentum of Taiwan's electronics supply chain will continue to grow, especially with regards to 5G and IoT applications where chip demand is high. If the pandemic situation doesn't have an effect, electronics exports in 2022 will be able to drive Taiwan's economic growth.

 

13日晚間一架私人飛機，飛抵桃園國際機場。經濟部證實，入境的人，正是半導體大廠Intel執行長「季辛格」，透過「經濟泡泡」防疫專案模式來台。季辛格還特地預錄一段影片，說明這次來台原因。

季辛格表示：「我們都在努力解決晶片短缺問題，這不僅突顯了半導體的重要，也突顯了供應鏈的重要性，我們與台積電的長期深遠關係，台積電在許多方面協助英特爾公司，與這個產業釋放了晶片的可能性。」

季辛格低調來台，期間不會有公開行程。經濟部長王美花也說，雙方不會面。不過，日前季辛格企圖阻擋美政府，對台積電赴美建廠提供補助，曾公開批評台灣是個不穩定的地方。但如今話鋒一轉，強調台積電合作關係，更稱讚台灣是科技寶島。

季辛格說：「台灣擁有一個完整豐沛的，充滿活力的生態系，成為我們產業的關鍵樞紐之一，在過去的數十年裡，台灣創造了令人驚豔的輝煌成果。」

經濟部次長林全能表示：「我想他（季辛格）應該是，會有很多面向的一個這個討論，至於他邀請的廠商，我想台積電應該包含在這裡面這樣子。」

季辛格親自飛來台灣，試圖解決明年晶片供貨危機。外界認為，Intel將與台積電，敲定「3奈米」製程訂單。電電公會表示，2022年下半年，「晶片荒」問題就會改善，電子大廠供貨趨於正常。

電電公會理事長李詩欽表示：「當然是有點影響，不過我們也覺得有在改善，而且明年的上半年開始逐次改善，下半年應該就恢復正常。」

電電公會也預估，隨著需求增加，看好台灣電子供應鏈，出貨動能持續成長，尤其5G、IoT應用，晶片需求量大，如果無疫情變數影響，2022年電子業出口，將繼續帶動台灣經濟成長。