This story covers how the Biden administration has signed executive orders to cut the access to both advanced semiconductors and the technology to manufacture such chips. This is a scary move. This has the ability to significantly neuter the ability to the Chinese military to compete. This will become more pronounced as time passes and the technology gap grows. They would eventually be working with 3 or 4 generation old technology. This add emphasis to the Chinese to make bolder moves to secure access to these technologies while they still have a relative technological parity with the West. China has 2 significant players in the semiconductor manufacturing in their backyard: Taiwan and South Korea. If the Chinese feels their backs are to the wall, I fear they will strike. I would expect Taiwan to be the most sensible target as they have common heritage. The island has always been claimed by the Chinese mainland. They can sell it to the world as a reunification. If they could secure the island then they would control 50% of the semiconductor manufacturing business overnight. These are also some of the most advanced manufacturing plants in the world. I could see WWIII erupting from such a play.
