Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has revealed plans to invest $100 billion to expand its chip production in the United States.
Disclosed at the White House with former President Donald Trump, one of the goals is to reduce dependence on foreign-made semiconductors. The investment will fund the construction of five additional semiconductor facilities, including three fabrication plants, two advanced packaging centres, and a research and development hub.
TSMC has not specified a timeline for these projects but noted that the expansion would generate 40,000 construction jobs over the next four years.
Over-reliance on Taiwan for semiconductor supply is increasing, given China’s current focus on asserting its sovereignty claims over the island. The U.S. government has been encouraging chipmakers to establish local production facilities to mitigate supply chain risks and strengthen national security.
Trump, speaking at the announcement, commended the decision as a big win for domestic manufacturing. “We must be able to build the chips and semiconductors that we need right here. It’s a matter of national security for us,” he said.
TSMC’s growing presence in the U.S. aligns with efforts under the CHIPS and Science Act, which provides $52.7 billion in subsidies to boost semiconductor production and research. The company has already secured $6.6 billion in government support for its Arizona operations and could benefit from additional tax incentives under the 2022 legislation.
Despite these advantages, TSMC has faced challenges in its U.S. expansion. Its first Arizona plant encountered delays and higher production costs compared to its facilities in Taiwan.
This has led analysts to question the long-term feasibility of large-scale chip manufacturing in the U.S. “Higher costs are definitely a concern for TSMC,” said Andrew Tsai, chairman of Taiwan’s Capital Investment Management Corp.
TSMC’s role in the global chip supply chain is important, with clients including Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). The new facilities are expected to bolster these partnerships and enhance U.S. technological capabilities.
There are also indications that TSMC could play a role in supporting Intel’s struggling chip manufacturing division. Sources suggest that Trump administration officials have discussed the possibility of TSMC taking a majority stake in a joint venture with Intel, although neither company has confirmed these reports.
While the U.S. is keen to strengthen its semiconductor industry, Taiwan’s government will review the investment in line with regulations governing large overseas projects by domestic firms. “This ensures that while TSMC expands its investment in the U.S., the most advanced processes will remain in Taiwan,” said Karen Kuo, a spokesperson for the Presidential Office.
The company has yet to disclose the specific chip technology it plans to deploy at the new sites. However, it previously agreed to produce 2-nanometer chips at its second Arizona plant, set to begin operations in 2028. It also committed to using its advanced “A16” manufacturing technology in the state.
Investments in U.S. technology and manufacturing are shooting up. Apple recently announced plans to spend $500 billion over the next four years, while investors such as Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani and SoftBank have also pledged commitments to American industries.
