American chip maker, Amkor Technology, has officially opened its newest, US$1.6 billion factory in Vietnam, The Investor is reporting. The factory will provide packaging and testing services to global semiconductor and electronics manufacturing firms.
Why does it matter: the-shiv noted at the start of September that a White House fact sheet issued when Biden was in Hanoi suggested the US saw Vietnam’s role in semiconductor supply chains at the assembly, testing, and packaging end rather than in the high-tech production and design phases. Vietnam, however, would like it the other way around. Needless to say, this latest development suggests the US outlook for the country is probably more likely moving forward, at least for a while.
Amkor press release: Amkor’s Newest Factory Set to Open in Vietnam on October 11, 2023
See also: US sees Vietnam at bottom end of semiconductor supply chain?