Taiwan says its chip fabs are safe from China’s rare-earth crackdown

Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs reassures that China's rare-earth export controls will not significantly impact the island's chip sector, as the specific metals targeted are not used in TSMC's wafer production. However, rare-earth elements are crucial in high-performance magnets, which are integral to various tech components. China's new rules aim to tighten its grip on rare-earth supply chains, potentially affecting industries beyond semiconductor manufacturing. While Taiwan's semiconductor front-ends may be safe for now, downstream tech sectors like hard drives could feel the impact as China tightens export restrictions.