And two: after Apple, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the Taiwanese champion of semiconductors, has also taken out its checkbook in the United States. The largest chipmaker in the world announced, on Monday, March 3, an investment of 100 billion dollars in the country. The sum will be used to: build two new factories in the country, Donald Trump rejoiced during the press conference, as The Verge reports.
TSMC had already committed to investing $65 billion to build three factories in Arizona. The group had also received $6.6 billion in subsidies, as part of the "Chips Act," Joe Biden's massive plan for subsidies on semiconductors, the components essential to smartphones, computers and even artificial intelligence. "We are going to create thousands of well-paid jobs, and produce many artificial intelligence chips," assured TSMC CEO C.C. Wei during the press conference.
“When they come to the United States and set up their factory, there are no tariffs”
Since last month, the Taiwanese company has started producing 4-nanometer chips at its Arizona factory. The second factory will open in 2027 or 2028 – it was originally scheduled for 2026. But the company promises to manufacture next-generation chips in the country, with "2nm or even more advanced process technologies" by the end of the decade.
With these new checks, the Taiwanese semiconductor champion hopes to escape the wrath of Donald Trump: the American president had accused Taiwan of having "stolen the American chip industry" – The statement is disputed by many experts.
Last January, the American president criticized American companies that have their chips manufactured in Taiwan, such as Apple, AMD, Broadcom, Nvidia and Qualcomm. The White House tenant demanded that manufacturers relocate their production to the country.
The billionaire had also declared that he intended to introduce customs duties of 25% on semiconductors, starting in April. “When they come to the United States and set up their factory there, there are no customs duties,” added the White House tenant.
TSMC’s announcement follows Apple’s on February 19. The apple brand had highlighted “its largest spending commitment ever made”: a $500 billion investment in the United States over four years, also intended to show its credentials.
And proof that the threats are being carried out: this Tuesday, March 4, Washington began to impose 25% tariffs on products from Mexico and Canada, as well as an additional 10% tax on imports from China. According to the New York Times, the Trump administration has encouraged TSMC to take over chipmaking plants from Intel, the former U.S. semiconductor leader.
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