The battle for semiconductor chip production is underway and Chris Miller’s new book breaks down the conflict over this technology that is growing increasingly valuable.
Key Details
- Author Chris Miller breaks down the conflict over semiconductor chips in his book Chip War as the U.S. slips from its position as number-one chip maker in the world.
- Nearly every piece of technology—from microwaves to vehicles—needs a chip to function, making the tiny computer chip incredibly valuable.
- As an economic history, Miller explains how the chips came to prominence in the first place and what the U.S. needs to do in order to stay on top.
Why it’s news
Chips, and where they are produced, are becoming increasingly important topics in American politics.
Through his book, Miller explains that the rush for control of chip production is decades long. The U.S. was once in the lead, but lately countries like China and Taiwan have been pulling ahead.
Miller compares the value of chips to the value of oil as he explains that China is increasingly investing funds into chip production, posing a threat to American security.
The current chip war didn’t start just a few years ago. Using his skill as an economic historian, Miller traces the conflict back to the Cold War, but warns that the current battle for control of chip production is the new Cold War.
In order to explain current political events, Miller proposes that readers first need to understand the backdrop of current conflict—the chip war.
Miller is currently an assistant professor at Fletcher School of Law and Tufts University. He has written three books previously: Putinomics, The Struggle to Save the Soviet Economy, and We Shall Be Masters.
Chip War was published by Scribner on October 4, 2022.