Taiwan's Economy Minister, Kuo Jyh-huei, stated that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) would require government approval for overseas joint ventures, with the exception of China, for advanced chip production. Media reports indicate discussions of TSMC acquiring a stake in Intel, a significant supplier to companies like Apple and Nvidia.
President Trump criticized Taiwan for attracting American semiconductor business away and expressed a desire to reclaim the industry in the U.S. Kuo emphasized Taiwan's semiconductor industry's stability, stating, "no one can shake the foundations." He stressed confidence in TSMC, highlighting government support to safeguard the country's economic interests.
While Kuo affirmed the government's non-interference in TSMC's decisions, he noted that any global joint ventures necessitate official permission. Large foreign investments require approval from Taiwan's economy ministry, with restrictions on producing cutting-edge chips only in China.
TSMC's planned $65 billion investment in Arizona for manufacturing advanced 2-nanometer chips has government consent, though production is slated for a few years ahead. Taiwan, facing a significant trade surplus with the U.S., may encounter import tariffs proposed by Trump to rectify trade imbalances.
Kuo conveyed that the ministry is gathering data for negotiations with the U.S. administration regarding tariffs to secure favorable terms for Taiwanese companies. However, he refrained from disclosing specifics of the ongoing discussions.