Numerous regions in the global semiconductor production chain had helped the industry to promote continuous innovations and reduce costs to benefit global enterprises and consumers, but problems had begun to worsen amid the ongoing chip shortage, a top exec from the world’s largest telecoms firm has said.
Rising fragmentation in the global semiconductor industry has triggered massive panic stockpiling and increasing prices in the sector, harming trust in the chipmaking market, Eric Xu, company rotating chairman said at the Huawei Global Analyst Summit 2021 on Monday.
Speaking on whether Huawei could survive US sanctions and address industry continuity, Xu explained Huawei was aware chip production was “complex” and required “intensive R&D capital investments”.
The report found it would require at least $1tn in incremental upfront investment, leading to a 35 percent to 65 percent increase in semiconductor prices and ultimately, higher costs for consumer electronics for end users, he explained.
The Huawei exec added Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (TSMC) had issued letters warning customers of rising product costs, adding that higher costs in the industry were expected in the coming years.
A rising number of countries and regions had to rethink their supply security, with nations and regions such as Europe, China, Japan, and others increasing investment in chipmaking and Europe aiming to build semiconductor “self-reliance,” he said.
Seventeen European nations, including Germany, France, and Spain issued a joint statement on Europe’s processor and semiconductor policy plans, and agreed to increase investments in Europe’s tech self-sufficiency, he said.
US sanctions against the Chinese tech giant and others triggered panic stockpiling among global companies, namely in China, with some firms hoarding three to six months of supplies, Xu explained.
He added that the global supply chain “ran on the assumption” it could remain flexible with zero stockpiles, leading to panic buying and worsening the global supply shortage in the semiconductor industry.
Such practices had “disrupted the whole system” and US sanctions had sparked panic stockpiling from major global firms, he added.
He urged global leaders to acknowledge potential risks and restore global trust and industry cooperation “as soon as possible.”
The Huawei Analyst Summit 2021 will take place from 12 to 14 April in Shenzhen and hosts several keynote speakers across China, as well as multiple industries, including telecoms, the internet and finance, among others.
The event hosts talks on boosting global cooperation in the telecoms sector and achieving positive outcomes to boost the deployment of key emerging technologies globally.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
