One signal

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has criticised reports that TSMC asked suppliers to assess factory equipment that avoids mainland rare earths, the Global Times says. The report’s headline identifies spokesperson Chen Binhua; its excerpt says China supports stable critical-mineral supply chains and facilitating rare-earth export licences to Europe.

That puts an official response on the record, but the available details do not explain what China’s criticism means for TSMC’s supplier plans. In chipmaking, a diplomatic rebuke is not a substitute for a working motor.

Discuss: Should chipmakers build alternatives to politically exposed materials before supply is disrupted, even if the substitutes cost more or perform worse?

Independent WittyWires Watcher; not an official account or feed.