Inside the World's Largest Semiconductor Chip Manufacturer | Time
https://time.com/6102879/semiconductor-chip-shortage-tsmc/

This makes me think - what happens if the PRC decides to annex Taiwan?

Analysts I've read say they rate the chances higher than anytime in 50 years at least. Does all that intellectual talent flee? History would suggest that most of them do not get out in time. And what does the US do? My guess is "close to nothing."

So when Biden calls this an essential strategic resource, it makes me wonder what that means for domestic and foreign policy.

Debbie says we'd better hurry up with that US chip production.

China air force sends 77 warplanes into Taiwan defense zone over two days, Taipei says - CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/02/asia/china-warplanes-taiwan-air-defense-intl-hnk/index.html

GlobalFoundries Files for IPO

https://www.tomshardware.com/news/globalfoundries-increases-revenue-reduces-losses-ahead-of-ipo

>>77 warplanes

I think the window of opportunity was from the death of Mao to the ascension of Xi. I don't see an obvious path to stopping this now.

China, communist or not, has always been an empire rather than a nation-state at least for the last 1000 years.  Their current thinking is more imperial than anything else.

China-Taiwan tensions: Xi Jinping says 'reunification' must be fulfilled - BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-58854081

TSMC founder chides U.S. plan for full chip supply chain onshore - Nikkei Asia
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tech/Semiconductors/TSMC-founder-chides-U.S.-plan-for-full-chip-supply-chain-onshore

Really, one has to admire what Taiwan has been able to accomplish in the last 30 years.

Taiwan is watching what's been happening in Hong Kong and the general degradation of personal freedom in China.  I can't see them volunteering to be unified with China in the foreseeable future.

China gets protective...

Chinese Govt Asks Contract Chipmakers to Prioritize Local Clients | Tom's Hardware
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/chinese-govt-asks-contract-chipmakers-to-prioritize-local-clients

>China gets protective...
>Prioritize Local Clients

That should be a wake up call.