Taiwan minister says concerns of TSMC becoming Americanised overblown
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company fabrication plant in Phoenix, Arizona. TSMC CEO C. C. Wei on March 3 joined US President Donald Trump at the White House to reveal plans to expand its US presence.
PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
Follow topic:
TAIPEI - Taiwan’s government downplayed concerns that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) plans to invest a further US$100 billion (S$135 billion) in the US
“TSMC already has plants in the US and Japan, and it’s now building new a plant in Germany,” Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-Huei told reporters on March 4. “These have nothing to do with tariffs. TSMC’s global expansion is a crucial development.”
TSMC chief executive officer C.C. Wei on March 3 joined US President Donald Trump at the White House to reveal plans to expand its US presence. Mr Trump said the move means “the most powerful AI chips in the world will be made right here in America”.
That may fuel concerns that Taiwan’s own place in the chip supply chain will be endangered as it shifts production offshore. Asked if the supply chain could move to the US, Mr Kuo said he doubted it.
“The manufacturing in the US is primarily for the American clients, in Japan for Japanese clients, and in Taiwan for customers from various other countries,” he said. “Judging from the scale of the investment and the suppliers it requires, it’s unlikely the entire supply chain will shift from Taiwan in the long run.” BLOOMBERG
