The global supply chain of computer chips

1 Design

US firms provide software for chip designs, which may rely on intellectual property licences from Europe

2 Equipment

Manufacturing equipment is developed in the US, Europe and Japan

1 Design

2 Equipment

4 Manufacturing

3 Materials

3 Materials

Silicon is mined and refined in the US and then processed into wafers in Japan and South Korea

4 Manufacturing

Chips are made in Taiwan and Malaysia. Many are then put into smartphones in China but car plants around the world also depend on their availability

1 Design

2 Equipment

Manufacturing equipment is developed in the US, Europe and Japan

US firms provide software for chip designs, which may rely on intellectual property licences from Europe

S Korea

US

Europe

China

Japan

Taiwan

4 Manufacturing

Chips are made in Taiwan and Malaysia. Many are then put into smartphones in China but car plants around the world also depend on their availability

Malaysia

3 Materials

Silicon is mined and refined in the US and then processed into wafers in Japan and South Korea