Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a global leader in chip production, is facing scrutiny for its alleged role in escalating housing prices within Taiwan. Simultaneously, competitor Samsung is reportedly accelerating its plans to manufacture 2nm chips in the United States.
TSMC's Success Linked to Rising Housing Costs in Taiwan
A social media post on DCard suggests that TSMC's significant success and expansion are inadvertently making homeownership unattainable for many Taiwanese locals. The user claims that in cities like Hsinchu (TSMC's headquarters), Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung—all home to TSMC facilities—housing prices have surged dramatically.
While acknowledging TSMC's contribution to Taiwan's global semiconductor prominence and geostrategic importance, the post argues that this success has distorted the real estate market. It's suggested that wherever TSMC establishes or expands operations, housing prices escalate city-wide, impacting individuals not employed in high-paying sectors like tech, medicine, or law, or those without inherited wealth.
This situation, according to the user, forces many into renting, leading to housing insecurity and rising rents. The post describes Taiwan's housing market as a pyramid, where high earners accumulate resources while others struggle to afford even a downpayment, a stark contrast to previous generations where a stable job often sufficed for homeownership.
Community Reactions and Other Factors
Responses to the social media post varied. Some commentators agreed, noting TSMC also influences the job market by attracting talent with higher salaries. Others pointed to low property holding costs and high rates of multiple homeownership (around 70% of Taiwanese owning more than one house) as primary issues.
A portion of respondents blamed government policies and real estate speculation, arguing that the low cost of construction allows landlords and developers to keep properties empty while market hype maintains high asset values.
Samsung Aims for Early 2nm Chip Production in the US
In related semiconductor industry news, Samsung is reportedly planning to introduce 2nm chip manufacturing at its Taylor, Texas facility earlier than TSMC's US operations. A report from ZDNet Korea indicates Samsung is preparing production lines with a goal to potentially start mass production of these advanced "domestically-made" 2nm chips by January or February of next year.
This move is seen as an effort by Samsung to capitalize on the interest in US-based chip sourcing and to compete more directly with TSMC's growing presence in Arizona. Samsung is said to be diverting R&D resources to its Taylor facility, despite previous challenges in ramping up US production (originally planned for 4nm chips).
Reports suggest Samsung's 2nm process (SF2) is achieving yield rates up to 40%, which, while lower than TSMC's reported 60% for its 2nm process, could still be competitive if sufficient for mass production. The key challenge for Samsung will be to successfully reach mass production yields and timelines to gain an edge in the US market.
