It's not like nobody is trying to compete with TSMC, Samsung and Intel are doing their best, but TSMC are consistently ahead despite all of these companies using the same ASML lithography machines.

Good point. However my mind is drawn back to the fact that the USG licenses the patents to ASML. A tweak or change of that licensing model could suddenly make TSMC's cost basis rise and Intel's drop. We are after all talking about US national security interests as the backdrop - the usual market rules may not apply so cleanly.

TSMC has way to many competitors for this to make sense. And besides one very important key supplier who has huge wait lists for their EUV stuff, ASML.

Sometimes the evidence speaks for itself. I'm not an expert in this field, but the fact that literally no one in the world can compete toe to toe with TSMC is a sign of ... something. If nothing else, "Taiwan #1".

No, TSMC is really that special. Intel has been struggling for a while now.