Thread

1. Zigurd · 1789669442 · focus · HN ↗

   The US administration created at least 90% of what we now call technology sovereignty concerns. Technology sovereignty is front and center in this announcement. Before the president started making wildly inappropriate remarks about grabbing territory from allies and other previously unthinkable utterances, almost everyone was happy to buy technology from US hardware and software vendors. Complacency about the state of democracy and rule of law in the US was the norm.

   Why does this matter? Markets outside the US account for about half of many US technology vendors' revenue. Who is going to speak up first?

   1. alfalfasprout · 1789669542 · focus · HN ↗

      there are many things to blame POTUS for. This isn't one of them... most major fabs were already outside the US to begin with and the US chipmaking industry (well, really Intel) was really struggling even years ago.

      1. Zigurd · 1789669949 · focus · HN ↗

         I don't see the connection. No matter where US chips are manufactured, it's not the location of the fab that causes technology sovereignty concerns. Those concerns come from questions about the stability and rationality of our leadership: can my jet fighter get nerfed if I wanted to defend Greenland from an invasion? Are my spies being spied on by US technology?

         Those questions didn't used to be significant factors.

         1. kikkia · 1789673976 · focus · HN ↗

            I'd argue that the consolidation of the chip industry in Taiwan has had the most impact here. If/When China does move to take over Taiwan the global chip supply will be devastated and countries are well in their right to want to diversify from that. If anything, POTUS statements just also solidified the point that like Taiwan, they should not rely on USA or any other country for that matter. Hence why so many countries are pushing for some level of self sustainment.

            1. Zigurd · 1789678988 · focus · HN ↗

               Chip fabs are a red herring. They haven't been controlled by the US, and give the US no leverage over nations that used to be unequivocal allies. Those places are where technology sovereignty is a hot button issue. They can't count on the US, or US technology companies. You say Taiwan shouldn't rely on the US. But of all places where technology sovereignty is at issue, Taiwan has the least risk of being traded away in a corrupt real estate deal.

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