Germany pushes for deeper Japan partnership to cut chip reliance on China

German semiconductor leaders are urging stronger collaboration with Japan as worries mount over reliance on China amid escalating US-Beijing tensions. Frank Rohmund of Carl Zeiss AG stressed that Japan, South Korea and the United States are essential partners and announced steps to curb the company's exposure to Chinese risk. Zeiss provides vital components to Dutch EUV-lithography specialist ASML, and Japan’s Rapidus also produces such machines.

In Dresden, Saxony, TSMC is constructing its first European manufacturing plant, expected to start operations by the end of 2027, which has spurred logistics provider Nippon Express to open a nearby facility. Thomas Horn, CEO of Saxony Trade & Invest Corp., explained that EU discussions on “trusted chips” aim to exclude Chinese semiconductors from critical infrastructure and that Germany and Japan must join forces as democratic states.