In a major news, President Donald Trump said Monday a $100 billion investment from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to build more chip factories in the United States. The investment, which adds to TSMC’s total U.S. investment of $165 billion to construct five new fabrication facilities in Arizona.
Trump described the move as big league deisive step by the most powerful company in the world, as doing something amazing for our Artificial (AI) and (Semiconductor) Strengthening in Major League Countries. The investment fits with his administration’s broader effort to retake the U.S. semiconductor industry and bolster national security.
TSMC, the top chip supplier to tech leaders like Nvidia and Apple, has been steadily building up its U.S. presence. The new investment is the latest to come out of its 2018 $65 BILLION investment in the state, during which time it built three fabrication facilities. Also, the firm got a $6.6 billion government subsidy from the U.S. Commerce Department to aid in its expansion efforts.
The news highlights the increasing strategic significance of the semiconductor supply chain. Trump long time has accused Taiwan for having too big share in chip business and also put tariffs on semiconductor imports. At the same time, his administration is promoting AI infrastructure projects and entering partnerships with companies like Oracle, OpenAI and SoftBank.
Industry observers say that TSMC’s move is a strategic attempt to boost the United States in the global tech rivalry, and to build a more reliable and locally-independent supply chain.