The escalation of the US ban has put Huawei in a dilemma. At present, Huawei still has a buffer period of nearly 120 days, and Huawei’s partners such as TSMC are also increasing their production capacity in the near future, trying every means to stock up for Huawei, and try to avoid the heavy damage to Huawei’s consumer business.
In this regard, many people have also thought of many countermeasures for Huawei, such as seeking customized chips from manufacturers such as Samsung, MediaTek, and Ziguang Zhanrui, or choosing SMIC, the largest and most advanced chip foundry in mainland China, to replace TSMC. However, the ideal is always good, but the reality is not satisfactory. MediaTek and SMIC have successively revealed that it is difficult to help Huawei tide over the difficulties.
MediaTek: There is no case of customizing specific chip products for customers
Recently, a media report said that “Huawei purchased TSMC chips through MediaTek.” MediaTek issued a statement saying that the report has seriously affected the company’s reputation, and relevant media have been requested to make corrections. The company has always followed relevant global trade laws and regulations, and mobile phone chip products are standard products, and there is no special case for specific customers.
The original statement reads as follows:
Recently, “Nihon Keizai Shimbun” and a number of media quoted and reprinted mentioned in the report that “Huawei intends to evade sanctions and plans to purchase TSMC chips through MediaTek”. Regarding relevant news reports, the company solemnly declares:
MediaTek has never violated or circumvented relevant laws and regulations. The erroneous report has seriously affected the company’s reputation, and the relevant media has been requested to correct it. The company has always followed relevant global trade laws and regulations, and mobile phone chip products are standard products, and there is no special case for specific customers.
MediaTek has a good and long-term cooperative relationship with many mobile phone manufacturers. We are committed to bringing excellent user experience through innovative technologies, thereby promoting the experience upgrade and popularization of 5G mobile applications.
SMIC: Due to US policy restrictions, it may not be possible to OEM for some customers
Not only MediaTek refuted the rumors, but SMIC stated in its listing prospectus recently: “According to the revised rules, certain semiconductor equipment and technologies imported from the United States may not be used for certain semiconductor equipment and technologies before obtaining the administrative license of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Customers’ products are manufactured.”
This means that as long as the equipment and technology patents originate from the United States, SMIC will also be subject to export control restrictions. Although it does not specify who “certain customers” are, considering the current situation of enterprises in the industry, it basically refers to Huawei.
SMIC’s contribution to the semiconductor manufacturing industry in mainland China goes without saying, and the company is also known as the “mainland version of TSMC”. Once the cooperation between TSMC and Huawei breaks down, SMIC, which was originally the most promising company to take orders from Huawei, can’t help but hope that it will be greatly reduced.
The “technological bullying” of the United States against Huawei has been protracted for a long time. On the surface, it is only aimed at Huawei. In fact, behind it is a comprehensive restriction on China’s semiconductor industry.
From the past Alstom to ZTE, it has been proved that only by independent research and development and mastering the core technology can we avoid being controlled by others and prevent being “stuck” by American technology.
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