‘It’s a matter of economic security; it’s also a matter of national security for us,’ Trump said.
President Donald Trump announced on March 3 a key partnership with a Taiwan-based semiconductor company that will see billions of dollars invested in cutting-edge chip-making facilities as his administration looks to reshore manufacturing to the United States.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will invest $100 billion in new manufacturing plants in the United States over the next three years.
“Taiwan Semiconductor is announcing that they will be investing at least $100 billion in new capital in the United States over the next short period of time to build state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing facilities,” Trump said.
“This is a tremendous thing for our country.”
TSMC, one of the world’s largest makers of semiconductor chips used in artificial intelligence (AI) systems, household appliances, and smartphones, has been a part of the tariff conversation in recent weeks. This was one reason why TSMC shares sank by nearly 7 percent last month.
Trump said TSMC will construct “five cutting-edge fabrication facilities” in Arizona, bringing thousands of jobs to the Grand Canyon state. “You’re probably talking about … 25,000 jobs,” the president told reporters.
“We must be able to build the chips and semiconductors that we need right here in American factories with American skill and American labor. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.
“It’s a matter of economic security; it’s also a matter of national security for us.”
C.C. Wei, chairman and CEO of TSMC, explained the scope of his company’s investment.
“We have to thank President Trump’s vision and his support so TSMC starts the journey of establishing … advanced chip manufacturing in Arizona. And now, let me proudly say the vision [has] become reality in Phoenix, Arizona, with 3,000 employees,” he said.
“We are producing the most advanced chip made on U.S. soil.”
When asked if the investment could minimize the impact on the chip supply if China decides to isolate Taiwan or take it by force, Trump replied: “[It] will at least give us a position where in this very, very important business, we would have a very big part of it in the United States.
“So it would have a big impact if something should happen with Taiwan.”
By Andrew Moran and Jacob Burg
