Deep Dive: Building an American TSMC | Contrary Research
The history of the semiconductor is the history of the United States. From inventor, to manufacturer, to consumer, to hostage. Today, America's dominance is dependent on a single point of failure: TSMC. Responsible for 90%+ of leading-edge semiconductors, this tiny island has a chokehold on the US. America must rebuild its own domestic chip manufacturing capability. To do that, saving Intel may be our only hope. Tags Updated August 5, 2025 81 min DEEP DIVE Authors Authors Maxx Yung Senior Fellow Kyle Harrison General Partner @ Contrary Deep Dive Updated August 5, 2025 81 min The correlation between territorial size and geopolitical power is one of history's most enduring patterns. At their respective peaks, the Roman Empire controlled 2 million square miles, the Mongol Empire commanded an unprecedented 9.3 million square miles, and the British Empire ruled over roughly 25% of Earth's landmass. This pattern persists today as the world's most consequential powers, from America to Russia,
Actionable Summary The correlation between territorial size and geopolitical power is one of history's most enduring patterns. At their respective peaks, the Roman Empire controlled 2 million square miles, the Mongol Empire commanded an unprecedented 9.3 million square miles, and the British Empire ruled over roughly 25% of Earth's landmass. This pattern persists today as the world's most consequential powers, from America to Russia, China, and India, derive significant advantage from their geographic scale and resource abundance. These world superpowers are also four of only nine nations with
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