TSMC is the world's largest chipmaker, and it produces a massive percentage of the world's advanced computer chips—by some estimates over the past few years,. What happens if something were to happen in that part of the world to disturb this chipmaking ability? It'd be catastrophic, of course, but TSMC and its main machine supplier, Dutch company ASML, say the machines wouldn't fall into hostile hands.
The switch applies to the latest EUV machines out of ASML. These are also some of the most complicated, expensive, and sizable chip-making machines around today. The machines themselves have taken years to develop, and even longer to actually implement, though are now responsible for producing the most intricate and powerful computer chips today.
This is an Intel-owned ASML High NA EUV machine. It's different to those run by TSMC for the most part—it's still yet to jump on High NA—but good for an idea of what these machines actually look like.Concerns over Taiwan's national security are what have ultimately led to increased spending in chip-making facilities in the US and Europe.