TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Intel CEO Patrick Gelsinger praised Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC, 台積電) as "an awesome company" during an interview with Yahoo Finance on Thursday (Oct. 31).
Gelsinger highlighted the dual nature of their relationship, describing it as both a customer partnership and a competitive rivalry.
Gelsinger acknowledged TSMC's pioneering role in creating the foundry model, which provides exceptional service to customers, including Intel. He emphasized the crucial role TSMC plays in the success of Intel's AI PC processors, Lunar Lake, stating, "We couldn't do it without TSMC. They've been critical to that project's success."
Despite the intricate relationship, Gelsinger expressed Intel's ambition to become a large-scale Western foundry, which he believes is vital for the Western world. He noted that Intel also supplies TSMC with advanced equipment, underscoring the mutual importance of their collaboration to the industry.
Gelsinger reiterated Intel's commitment to advancing its chip manufacturing facilities in Ohio and Arizona, even without securing billions in funding from the CHIPS Act. He described the relationship with TSMC as complex but essential for both companies and the broader semiconductor industry.