Back
The results of the research on 'Complexities and Dependencies in the Global Semiconductor Value Chain' on global chip production by the Institute for Economics Research (Ifo) and the European Economic and Financial Policy Research Network (EconPol) were presented at the Munich Security Conference (MSC25). As claimed by the research results, China, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia produce more than 50 per cent of the semiconductors traded globally. Countries such as Germany, Japan, the USA and the Netherlands play a major role in the production of the equipment required for chip production. Germany, which is among the leading countries in optical chips, power semiconductors and sensor technologies, has managed to become one of the 9 most valuable countries in global semiconductors production.
Lisandra Flach, Director of the Centre for International Economics, said: "Looking not only at the final chip trade, but also at production equipment and raw materials, Germany exports more than it imports. This makes the dependencies in global semiconductor production mutual rather than unilateral."
Researcher Dorothee Hillrichs stated that it is unrealistic that all chips will be produced only in Europe in the future, "It also not efficient to respond to China-Taiwan dominance with trade restrictions or export controls. Instead, goverments should concider differentiated policy approaches that encourage innovation at every stage of the production process, from development and production to assembly, testing and packaging." According to Ifo research results, global semiconductor trade will reach 1,2 trillion dollars in 2022.
