Taiwanese TSMC (one of the largest semiconductor manufacturers in the world) has warned Russian microelectronics developers that the United States is demanding that the company stop cooperating with counterparties from Russia. Kommersant writes about this, citing a source in the government.
According to the newspaper, domestic companies notified the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Digital Development about this. The prospect of ending cooperation with TSMC was the topic of one of the meetings at Rostelecom on February 24, a source told the publication.
TSMC products in Russia are used by both large – for example, Baikal Electronics, STC Module and MCST, which develops Elbrus processors – and small design centers. Among the latter are the developer Malt System, which produces processors at the TSMC factory, and the server manufacturer Yadro.
The termination of cooperation between TSMC and Russian chip manufacturers will stop for an indefinite period the production and implementation of technology on Russian processors, said Ivan Pokrovsky, executive director of the Association of Russian Developers and Electronics Manufacturers. According to him, the developers will have to look for alternative factories.
TSMC on Friday said it would comply with export control regulations regarding Russia. “TSMC complies with all applicable laws and regulations and is fully committed to complying with the announced new export control regulations,” the company said in a statement.
Taiwan condemned Russia’s military operation in Ukraine and announced its intention to join international anti-Russian sanctions. Taipei did not specify what the content of the sanctions will be and what exactly they threaten.
This week, the US Treasury published a list of sanctions in response to Russia’s recognition of the DNR and LNR. Under the restrictions, including controlled by VEB.RF, NM-Tech, which launches the production of processors on the basis of the bankrupt Angstrem-T plant, fell under the restrictions.