Geopolitics of the US-China Semiconductor War: Technological Rivalry and Global Power

Medina Rivas Plata A.P.; Ullauri Betancourt S.A. · Revista de Ciencias Sociales (2025)

Resumen

The semiconductor industry has become a critical battleground in the 21st-century geopolitical landscape, underpinning everything from consumer electronics to advanced military systems. The rivalry between the United States and China for control of semiconductors goes beyond the economic, reflecting broader concerns about national security and technological leadership. This article explores the geopolitical and economic implications of the semiconductor war between the two countries, analyzing the main drivers of the conflict and its impact on global supply chains. The research is based on a qualitative, exploratory, and explanatory documentary research strategy, using the geoeconomic and technological conflict between the two countries as the primary unit of analysis, with a particular focus on the semiconductor sector. The article examines the United States’ response, including export controls and efforts to strengthen domestic production, in contrast to China’s “Made in China 2025" initiative to achieve technological self-sufficiency. In conclusion, this study offers a detailed analysis of the power dynamics that shape this competition and its long-term implications for global technological innovation and security.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad Católica de Santa María