X-Industry

China is conducting intelligence operations in The Netherlands that are targeting key industrial sectors including semiconductors, aerospace and maritime technology, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans recently warned.  Dutch national security and transatlantic supply chains are in danger because of state sponsored cyber-attacks and clandestine intelligence operations.  This activity threatens not only the Netherlands, but also the entire free world.

In reaction to similar Chinese targeting

The foundry space is arguably the most complex and competitive it has been in decades as foundry upstarts in the US and Japan look to challenge heavyweights Samsung and TSMC for a piece of the action.  But while Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger aims to leapfrog Samsung as the number two foundry operator, Henri Richard, the newly appointed president and general manager of Japan's Rapidus Design Solutions, doesn't believe it's necessary to challenge TSMC directly to be successful given the current climate.

Computers need hardware, like semiconductors (chips).  Modern cars need computers and thus chips.  Subaru announced it will shut down one of its Japanese factories for more than two weeks because of the ongoing shortage of semiconductors.  The international car company will close its Yajima plant in Gunma, Japan.  The auto shut down is scheduled to begin between 10 April 2021 and the scheduled Japanese holiday of Golden Week, 29 April.  Operations will not resume until 10 May.  The factory build