Chris Miller

Chris Miller is a historian whose research addresses technology, geopolitics and the Russian economy. As at 31 October 2026, Tufts University lists him as Professor of International History at the Fletcher School and notes that he is on academic leave. His Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology was published by Scribner on 4 October 2022 (Tufts profile; publisher's edition record).

Semiconductor dependence

In a January 2023 interview, Miller linked the book's origins to a question from his research on Russia: why strengths in science and other advanced technologies did not translate into advanced computing. He argued that replacing Taiwanese chipmaking capacity would take years because chips are not readily interchangeable and manufacturing depends on scarce specialised tools. He also questioned whether semiconductor interdependence provided a reliable guarantee against conflict over Taiwan (CFR interview).

At a RIETI seminar that month, Miller argued that no country could produce advanced semiconductors self-sufficiently. His answer identified complementary strengths in US design, European and Japanese tools and materials, and Taiwanese and Korean fabrication. He stressed the risks of geographic concentration, but also warned of subsidy-driven overcapacity. The same chips could support civilian autonomous driving and military drones, complicating export-control boundaries (RIETI discussion, questions and answers). These are dated arguments about dependence and policy trade-offs, not current market-share estimates or descriptions of present export rules.

Technology and coercion

In written evidence to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission on 30 April 2026, Miller extended this analysis to connected vehicles. He argued that Chinese-origin software and critical components could create espionage and potential sabotage risks, including coercive risks in a future military crisis. His recommendations included stronger regulatory capacity, restrictions on Chinese-origin battery management systems, additional data-transfer disclosure and engagement with allies (written testimony, pp. 1 and 10-11).

The contribution to statecraft analysis is a connection between concentrated technological capabilities, vulnerability and policy choice. His testimony establishes his assessment and proposals; it does not establish that a future sabotage scenario has occurred, that his recommendations became law, or that a particular US control resulted from his scholarship.

See also

Semiconductor chokepoint · United States advanced-computing and semiconductor controls on China (2022-present) · United States Entity List and foreign direct product rule campaign against Huawei (2019-present) · Weaponised interdependence · Export control as strategic instrument · TSMC · ASML

Sources

• Tufts University, Fletcher School, "Christopher Miller", profile accessed 31 October 2026.
• Chris Miller, Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology (New York: Scribner, 4 October 2022), ISBN 9781982172008. Bibliographic identification; the analysis above uses the public interview, discussion and testimony below.
• Chris Miller, interviewed by David Sacks, "The War Over the World's Most Critical Technology: A Conversation with Chris Miller", Council on Foreign Relations, 3 January 2023.
• Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry, "“Chip War” and Its Implications for Japanese Industrial and Security Policies", seminar with Chris Miller, 27 January 2023, published summary and attributed questions and answers.
• Chris Miller, "Taking a Bigger Byte: China's Expanding Strategy for Data Dominance", written testimony before the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, 30 April 2026.