Chip War

ASML is a Dutch company recognized as the exclusive producer of EUV (extreme ultraviolet) lithography machines, a critical technology for manufacturing advanced semiconductors. Miller emphasizes ASML’s strategic importance within the global semiconductor supply chain, as its EUV machines enable high-resolution chip fabrication. Because of its unique role, ASML becomes a focal point in the US strategy to restrict Chinese access to cutting-edge technology, underlining the geopolitical choke points within the semiconductor industry.

DARPA is a US government agency responsible for funding advanced research and technological innovation, particularly in defense-related fields. In Chip War, Miller emphasizes DARPA's critical role in driving semiconductor advancements, including innovations like FinFET transistors. DARPA’s funding highlights the intersection of government investment and private-sector innovation in maintaining technological superiority.

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is a state-of-the-art process essential for producing the world’s smallest and most advanced semiconductor chips. In Chip War, Miller discusses how the intricate technology, primarily developed and distributed by ASML, represents a critical competitive advantage for the US and its allies over China. The machines’ dependence on American components and technology further emphasizes the complex web of global supply chains and the strategic advantage it confers on the US and its allies.

A FinFET is a type of 3D transistor that has become the standard for high-performance semiconductor chips. Miller explains that this innovation, partially funded by DARPA, demonstrates the United States’ role in advancing chip technology through government-supported research. The FinFET allows transistors to be packed more densely, improving speed and efficiency, which is essential in maintaining Moore’s Law and thus the competitive edge in semiconductor technology.

GlobalFoundries is a US-based semiconductor manufacturer that halted its EUV program, focusing instead on older, profitable technologies. Miller discusses this decision as a reflection of the challenges smaller players face in competing with TSMC and Samsung at the cutting edge. GlobalFoundries exemplifies the economic pressures and strategic decisions shaping the semiconductor industry.

Huawei is a Chinese tech giant involved in telecommunications and smartphone manufacturing, and it is often perceived as a proxy for China’s technological ambitions. Chip War details how US sanctions targeting Huawei exemplify the geopolitical stakes of the semiconductor industry. By restricting Huawei’s access to critical US-made components and technologies, Miller highlights the US government’s efforts to prevent China from achieving technological self-sufficiency, casting Huawei as a central figure in the broader US-China tech rivalry.

This is a Chinese government initiative aimed at achieving technological self-sufficiency and dominance in critical industries, including semiconductors. Miller examines how this policy underpins China’s aggressive push to reduce reliance on foreign chipmakers, positioning it as a central driver of global tech competition.

This observation, made by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, posits that the number of transistors on a chip doubles approximately every two years, leading to rapid improvements in computing power. Miller explores Moore’s Law as a driving force in the semiconductor industry, shaping technological innovation and competitive strategies. While some experts predict its impending end, Miller highlights ongoing advancements that suggest Moore’s Law remains a benchmark of technological progress, with implications for both commercial and military superiority.

Nvidia is an American fabless semiconductor company best known for its graphics processing units (GPUs). Miller discusses Nvidia's role in shaping the semiconductor industry by extending the use of GPUs beyond graphics into artificial intelligence and data processing. Nvidia exemplifies the shift toward fabless innovation and the increasing importance of specialized chip design.

The PLA is the Chinese military force responsible for land, air, naval, and cyber capabilities. In the book, Miller uses the PLA’s regional exercises and potential for aggression as a backdrop to illustrate the geopolitical importance of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry. As the PLA’s capabilities expand, Miller underscores the rising stakes of Taiwan’s “Silicon Shield,” which he describes as a protective measure against direct aggression from China due to the global reliance on Taiwanese-made semiconductors.

RISC-V is an open-source processor architecture that offers an alternative to proprietary designs like ARM and x86. In Chip War, Miller points out how Chinese companies have turned to RISC-V as a way to circumvent reliance on Western-controlled technologies, aiming to reduce US influence over critical technology components. RISC-V’s open-source nature reflects the broader global shift toward technological self-sufficiency and strategic independence, especially in light of US export controls.

A fab, or fabrication plant, is a facility where semiconductor devices are manufactured, often involving highly specialized equipment and processes. Miller underscores Taiwan’s TSMC as the world’s leading fab, responsible for producing a significant portion of the global semiconductor supply. Fabs represent a critical aspect of technological sovereignty, as nations vie for control over manufacturing capabilities to ensure security and competitive advantage in the global tech landscape.

The “Silicon Shield” is a metaphor describing Taiwan’s strategic importance as a semiconductor powerhouse, particularly its role in producing advanced chips. Miller argues that Taiwan’s centrality to the global chip industry acts as a deterrent against Chinese aggression, as any disruption to Taiwan’s fabs would have catastrophic economic repercussions worldwide. This concept highlights the delicate balance of power and dependency that shapes international relations in the semiconductor industry.

SK Hynix is a South Korean memory chip manufacturer and one of the leading global producers of DRAM and NAND flash memory. In Chip War, Miller highlights SK Hynix as a critical player in the semiconductor supply chain and its competition with companies like Micron and Samsung.

The term refers to the escalating economic and technological competition between the US and China, particularly regarding export controls on semiconductor technology. Miller discusses how the trade war impacts global supply chains, corporate strategies, and international relations, making it a central theme in the book.