The government would ensure that the most advanced chipmaking technology stays in Taiwan while assisting Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) in investing overseas, the Presidential Office said yesterday.
The statement follows a joint announcement by the world’s largest contract chipmaker and US President Donald Trump on Monday that TSMC would invest an additional US$100 billion over the next four years to expand its semiconductor manufacturing operations in the US, which would include construction of three new chip fabrication plants, two advanced packaging facilities, and a research and development center.
The government knew about the deal in advance and would assist, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) said yesterday.
Photo: Bloomberg
Citing the Industrial Innovation Act (產業創新條例), Kuo said Taiwanese companies must obtain approval from the central government for foreign investments exceeding NT$1.5 billion (US$45.57 million).
TSMC’s application to invest in the US is no exception, she said.
The government is drafting a plan to forge resilient and diversified semiconductor supply chains with the US and other partners, she added.
Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office
Taiwan’s policy continues to be focused on making chips for the growing artificial intelligence industry in democratic nations, she said, adding that international cooperation is the future trend of the semiconductor industry.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said that TSMC’s new investment pledge in the US would help Taiwan’s industrial sector extend its global reach and make the country stronger.
The government views TSMC’s expanded investment in the US positively, as it would boost Taiwan’s competitive edge in the global market, and “making Taiwan stronger is the common stance of the government and industry,” Cho said.
Photo: CNA
The government has encouraged domestic industries to expand worldwide and will provide any necessary assistance for expansion, he said.
“I hope TSMC’s investments will continue to create mutual benefits and a win-win situation with Taiwan’s allies,” Cho said, adding that while encouraging overseas investments, “Taiwan is determined to maintain its lead over its peers in critical technologies.”
TSMC said in a statement yesterday that the new expansion plan would “play a crucial role in strengthening the US semiconductor ecosystem by increasing American production of advanced semiconductor technology.”
The US investment plan would not affect its expansion plans in other places, such as Taiwan and Japan, nor would it affect the company’s stable cash dividend policy, it added.
Monday’s announcement comes as Taiwan faced threats by Trump to impose tariffs on semiconductors.
Trump said that by bringing an extra US$100 billion in investment to the US, TSMC could “avoid paying tariffs.”
TSMC is already investing US$65 billion in Arizona to build three advanced wafer fabs.
The first fab in Arizona has started production using the 4-nanometer process, while the second fab, which is to deploy more advanced 3-nanometer, 2-nanometer and A16 processes, is under construction and is expected to begin production in 2028.
The third fab, of which TSMC has said little to date, is expected to begin production by 2030, TSMC said in April last year.
American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene yesterday said in Taipei that the announcement made at the White House “showcases the deep connections between two of the world’s greatest technological and economic powerhouses.”
“The United States and Taiwan are mutually complementary economies that benefit greatly from investments in both directions, especially in the semiconductor sector,” Greene was quoted as saying on AIT’s Facebook page.
TSMC’s expanded investment “strengthens the economic prosperity and security of both the United States and Taiwan and will enable TSMC to better serve its largest customers in America,” he added.
Taiwanese Olympic badminton men’s doubles gold medalist Wang Chi-lin (王齊麟) and his new partner, Chiu Hsiang-chieh (邱相榤), clinched the men’s doubles title at the Yonex Taipei Open yesterday, becoming the second Taiwanese team to win a title in the tournament. Ranked 19th in the world, the Taiwanese duo defeated Kang Min-hyuk and Ki Dong-ju of South Korea 21-18, 21-15 in a pulsating 43-minute final to clinch their first doubles title after teaming up last year. Wang, the men’s doubles gold medalist at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, partnered with Chiu in August last year after the retirement of his teammate Lee Yang
FALSE DOCUMENTS? Actor William Liao said he was ‘voluntarily cooperating’ with police after a suspect was accused of helping to produce false medical certificates Police yesterday questioned at least six entertainers amid allegations of evasion of compulsory military service, with Lee Chuan (李銓), a member of boy band Choc7 (超克7), and actor Daniel Chen (陳大天) among those summoned. The New Taipei City District Prosecutors’ Office in January launched an investigation into a group that was allegedly helping men dodge compulsory military service using falsified medical documents. Actor Darren Wang (王大陸) has been accused of being one of the group’s clients. As the investigation expanded, investigators at New Taipei City’s Yonghe Precinct said that other entertainers commissioned the group to obtain false documents. The main suspect, a man surnamed
US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer began talks with high-ranking Chinese officials in Switzerland yesterday aiming to de-escalate a dispute that threatens to cut off trade between the world’s two biggest economies and damage the global economy. The US delegation has begun meetings in Geneva with a Chinese delegation led by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng (何立峰), Xinhua News Agency said. Diplomats from both sides also confirmed that the talks have begun, but spoke anonymously and the exact location of the talks was not made public. Prospects for a major breakthrough appear dim, but there is
The number of births in Taiwan fell to an all-time monthly low last month, while the population declined for the 16th consecutive month, Ministry of the Interior data released on Friday showed. The number of newborns totaled 8,684, which is 704 births fewer than in March and the lowest monthly figure on record, the ministry said. That is equivalent to roughly one baby born every five minutes and an annual crude birthrate of 4.52 per 1,000 people, the ministry added. Meanwhile, 17,205 deaths were recorded, resulting in a natural population decrease of 8,521, the data showed. More people are also leaving Taiwan, with net
RSS