Wang Mei-hua confirms talks with TSMC on German subsidies

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua said Wednesday (Dec. 6) that she is in close contact with TSMC, confirming that the German government is actively addressing the budget issues.

Wang's remarks came in response to concerns that a shift in German subsidies may affect Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) plans to establish a factory in Europe.

She commented ahead of the signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the 5G Alliance for Connected Industries and Automation (5G-ACIA) and the Taiwan Association of Information and Communication Standards (TAICS), where she revealed that the German government has publicly expressed commitment to resolving these budget matters.

On Nov. 15, Germany's Federal Constitutional Court ruled unconstitutional the diversion of pandemic funds by the German government for the "Climate and Transformation Fund." This verdict affects budgets, including subsidies for Intel Corporation and TSMC's factory establishments, raising fears that Germany may fail to fulfill its financial promises to these tech giants.

According to inside sources, if Germany decreases its promised subsidies, TSMC may need to renegotiate the terms for setting up its operations in Germany, or it might even scrap the plans altogether.

Despite widespread concern, Wang Mei-hua reassured that the current focus is to ascertain the status of Germany's budget problems. She emphasized the Taiwan government's readiness to provide support to the company if needed.