[News] Trump Reportedly Spares TSMC, Micron from Equity Grabs after Chipmakers Ramp U.S. Investment

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed in a CNBC interview that the administration is seeking a 10% stake in Intel, sparking fears of broader equity grabs from CHIPS Act recipients. But according to The Wall Street Journal, Washington has ruled out moves against major investors like TSMC and Micron.

A U.S. official cited by the report said Thursday the administration has no plans to seek equity in chipmakers like TSMC and Micron that are ramping up U.S. investments. Firms not expanding their pledges, however, could be asked to hand over stakes in exchange for subsidies, the report adds.

In March, TSMC said it will boost its U.S. investment by $100 billion, bringing the total to $165 billion. The expansion includes plans for three new fabrication plants, two advanced packaging facilities and a major R&D team center.

Meanwhile, memory giant Micron announced in June an additional $30 billion investment to build a second advanced memory fab in Boise, expand its Virginia facility, and bring HBM packaging capabilities to the U.S., totaling $200 billion in domestic investment.

TSMC Reportedly Mulls to Return Subsidies if U.S. Seeks Stake

As the Wall Street Journal points out, Lutnick told CNBC that unlike the Biden administration, which “gave Intel and TSMC money for free,” Trump wants equity in return for subsidies: “If we’re giving you money, we want a piece of the action,” he added.

In response to this potential move, TSMC, which was awarded up to $6.6 billion for its Arizona fabs that began production in late 2024, has reportedly discussed the option of returning its subsidies if Washington seeks a stake, as per the Wall Street Journal.

The Wall Street Journal report further adds that the foundry giant has long emphasized it does not rely on U.S. support. As the Economic Daily News highlights, TSMC holds multiple advantages—ample cash, global leadership in advanced processes, and indispensable chips for the world. Its U.S. investment was driven not by subsidies but by a strategy to diversify geopolitical risks through global expansion, the report notes.

TSMC to Fast-Track 2nm in Arizona

According to MoneyDJ, equipment suppliers have been notified that TSMC’s second Arizona fab (F21 P2) will officially start operations with tool move-in beginning in October 2026.

Notably, MoneyDJ suggests that besides 3nm production in the P2A section, there are also plans to introduce 2nm processes ahead of schedule in the P2B section. Based on this timeline, a mini-line is expected to be established by Q2 2027, with mass production starting in Q4 2027—significantly ahead of the company’s original 2028 target, the report adds.

Read more

• [News] U.S. Eyes TSMC Stake: Legal Hurdles, Shareholder Concerns, and What’s at Play
• [News] U.S. Reportedly Mulls Stakes in CHIPS Act Recipients after Intel, Raising Risks for TSMC, Samsung

(Photo credit: The White House)