So Huawei put its head down and got to work: coming up with a locally-produced 5G chip and even threatening to manufacture 5 nm chipsets despite the outdated processes it’s working with. But to break past that barrier the company needs people who have been on the outside and know how modern chips are made.
TSMC chipsets power a ton of modern phones. | Image credit — PhoneArena
- TSMC counter offers to keep its employees around
- Employees are scared of hurting future job prospects
Understandably, engineers at TSMC are worried about not being able to find jobs in the future if they work with a company that is deemed a threat to U.S. national security. If Huawei ever decides it doesn’t need these people anymore they will be left jobless as U.S.-aligned companies like TSMC will likely refuse to consider them.
These complications have led to Huawei having to resort to other means to acquire modern chips. Though it would never admit it outright, Huawei got its hands on TSMC chips through other clients of the manufacturer, leaving U.S. lawmakers pulling their hair out in frustration.
One thing’s for certain: no matter how much the U.S. tries it doesn’t look like Huawei is going anywhere anytime soon.
