First, we looked at the generic production steps - consisting of 3 process steps and 5 inputs.
For each we analyzed barriers to entry, market concentration, competitiveness of Chinese industry, Chinese policies, etc.
Based on that we then assessed each production step across 3 'strategic dimensions'.
Idea: What motivates a government to invest in/support its semi ecosystem or cooperate with allies?
Can we systematize that / come up with a framework for 'national interest'? Yes, we can!
How does this help? (you will have to read our 'Analytical Approach' section to fully understand, sorry.) 🧐
But here's an example how the 3 strategic dimensions interplay and how govts (in our case China, but it's applicable to any govt) can assess their national interest.
We then use that heat map / matrix to assess for each production step what this means for China specifically - in terms of the US-China #technology rivalry but also vis-à-vis #EU.
We furthermore provide on overview of China's #semiconductor policies, relevant ministries, funding instruments and guidance tools. Did I mention the annex that is packed with references to semiconductor-specific policy documents?
The best part: It's a 'modular' report so feel free (after reading the 'analytical approach'!) to dive into the section that interests you the most! 👌
The proposal talks about utilizing common purchasing, export restrictions and priority-rated orders during future chip shortages to ensure security of supply for Europe.
We also added national reserves since several countries (Spain, Japan...) are thinking about those.
Let's walk through the value chain, shall we?
Chips:
None of the tools are effective when applied to individual chips because semiconductors are...
- highly customized/not substitutable
- end-products (cars...) need ~1000 chips from all over the world
The excellent @J_B_C16 and I teamed up (again!) to analyze what #China's rise in #semiconductors means for #EU. It's not 60 pages and 300 references like the last one (sorry).
In today's paper we distilled several #policy recommendations for the #EU in great expectation of the upcoming #EUChipsAct, future conversations at the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (#TTC) and in light of EU's #IndoPacific strategy.
The BT Group estimated in their latest financial statement that the UK's 5G requirements will have "an impact of around £500 million over the next 5 years."
Assumption: RAN Market shares will remain the same over the next 10 YEARS. If Huawei is restricted, operators have to choose between Nokia or Ericsson since smaller vendors don't have "the same global reach or breadth of products and services [...] to successfully compete". p14
Why this is flawed: #5G is all about #virtualization virtualization, software defined radio (#SDR) networks. This creates a HUGE opportunity for new players to enter the market and the report completely ignores this development even though it's happening as we speak. Examples...