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🚨Scott Bessent: "I think the most important thing we can do is make it easy to build things again."

July 25, 2025 / 00:58

This episode discusses the challenges of building infrastructure in the U.S., featuring insights on regulations affecting chip manufacturing, particularly TSMC's efforts in Arizona.

The conversation highlights the difficulties faced by TSMC in establishing a semiconductor fabrication plant in Arizona, which could potentially supply 7% of the U.S. chip demand. The guest emphasizes the obstacles posed by local building inspectors and the rapid pace of chip design.

Additionally, the guest reflects on the broader implications of environmental regulations that have contributed to the de-industrialization of certain sectors in the U.S., complicating the construction process.

TLDR

Building infrastructure in the U.S. faces regulatory challenges, as seen with TSMC's Arizona chip plant.

Episode

0:58

00:00:00

I think the most important thing we can do is make it easy to build things again

00:00:06

and stay out of the way and not overregulate. I would say one of the surprises that I've had and I've had a

00:00:14

lot of them when I went from civilian to public servant has been that in the US we've made it so hard to build things.

00:00:23

Right. TSMC wants to build a gigantic FAB system in Arizona and I think it might be able to produce up to 7% of the

00:00:33

chips that the United States needs and they're dealing with local building inspectors. Evidently, these chip design

00:00:42

plants are moving so quickly. You're constantly calling an audible and you've got someone saying, "Well, you said the

00:00:48

pipe was going to be there, not there. We're shutting you down." We even made the decision to de-industrialize

00:00:55

through our environmental regulations.

Episode Highlights

Building Challenges in the US
The speaker highlights the difficulties in construction due to regulations, impacting innovation.
“We've made it so hard to build things.”
@ 00m 21s
July 25, 2025
TSMC's Ambitious Plans
TSMC aims to produce 7% of US chips in Arizona, facing local regulatory hurdles.
“TSMC wants to build a gigantic FAB system in Arizona.”
@ 00m 23s
July 25, 2025

Episode Quotes

We've made it so hard to build things.
🚨Scott Bessent: "I think the most important thing we can do is make it easy to build things again."
You're constantly calling an audible.
🚨Scott Bessent: "I think the most important thing we can do is make it easy to build things again."
We're shutting you down.
🚨Scott Bessent: "I think the most important thing we can do is make it easy to build things again."

Key Moments

Regulatory Frustration00:21
Construction Challenges00:44
Environmental Decisions00:52