The first 3nm semiconductor chip manufactured on American soil has rolled off the production line at TSMC's Fab 21 facility in Phoenix, Arizona. The milestone, witnessed by President Biden and Commerce Secretary Raimondo, marks the most significant achievement of the CHIPS and Science Act and a historic reversal of four decades of semiconductor manufacturing offshoring.
The chips produced at Fab 21 are the same generation as those manufactured at TSMC's most advanced Taiwan facilities β dispelling early concerns that American-made chips would be one or two generations behind cutting-edge. Apple has already agreed to source chips for future iPhone models from the Arizona fab.
TSMC's $65 billion Arizona investment β the largest foreign direct investment in US manufacturing history β will ultimately employ 6,000 high-skilled workers at the Phoenix site and support an estimated 40,000 supply chain jobs across Arizona and neighboring states.
"America invented the semiconductor industry," said Commerce Secretary Raimondo. "We gave it away. We are taking it back." The comment drew a rare bipartisan standing ovation from the assembled congressional delegation.
