Taipei, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Taiwanese electronics companies are preparing to increase their investments in the U.S. state of Texas, potentially making announcements in May to align with the first 100 days of the President's term, according to a statement from the head of an industry association on Tuesday.
President Trump, who assumed office on Jan. 20, has criticized Taiwan for drawing U.S. semiconductor business and has hinted at potential measures against countries that contribute to the United States' significant trade deficits, possibly including Taiwan.
Last week, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te expressed a commitment to further engagement in the United States.
Richard Lee, the chairman of the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association, mentioned at an event in Taipei that the Texas government, under Republican leadership, has actively courted investments from Taiwanese firms.
Lee remarked, "We anticipate an increase in announcements this year, particularly within the first 100 days of Trump's presidency, around May 10, with a number of our leading server companies, particularly those focusing on AI servers, expanding their presence in Texas." He refrained from disclosing specific company names.
"Many of them have existing facilities in Texas, but these facilities were not previously scaled to meet the anticipated substantial growth in AI-related ventures in the future, presenting a new opportunity," he explained.
Taiwan's Foxconn, the world's biggest contract electronics manufacturer and a significant supplier to Apple and Nvidia, disclosed in November that one of its subsidiaries had invested $33 million in purchasing land and factory units in Harris County, Texas.
Top Taiwanese contract laptop manufacturers Compal and Inventec, the latter also engaged in producing AI servers, hinted last month at the possibility of venturing into the United States, with Texas being a favorable location, according to their executives.
Inventec refrained from speculating on potential Texas investment announcements in May. Foxconn and Compal did not immediately respond to requests for comments.