TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The world's largest contract chipmaker is keeping its distance from growing trade tensions. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC, 台積電) Chairman C. C. Wei (魏哲家) declared Thursday (April 17) that while the semiconductor giant respects outcomes of international tariff negotiations, it maintains a strict policy of non-participation in such diplomatic discussions.
Speaking during TSMC's first-quarter earnings conference call, Wei addressed several strategic concerns facing the semiconductor powerhouse. He detailed ongoing efforts to secure crucial permits from American authorities for the company's expanding Arizona manufacturing complex. The facility's 2-nanometer production lines will ultimately account for approximately 30% of TSMC's global capacity, Wei revealed. Despite recent shifts in international tariff policies, the chairman emphasized that customer ordering patterns remain stable, allowing the company to maintain its annual revenue projections.
Wei sidestepped questions regarding sensitive geopolitical matters, including recent U.S. export restrictions on Nvidia's modified H20 chips destined for the Chinese market. The chairman did elaborate on TSMC's substantial US$100 billion reinvestment strategy in the United States, a plan fueled by surging artificial intelligence requirements from American customers. This massive capital commitment underscores TSMC's determination to enhance manufacturing capabilities to meet escalating technological demands.
The chipmaking juggernaut announced record-breaking first-quarter net income of NT$361.56 billion (approximately US$11.16 billion), achieving an impressive gross margin of 58.8%. Looking ahead to the second quarter, TSMC projects revenue between US$28.4 billion and US$29.2 billion, representing a robust 13% increase from the previous quarter. This growth is primarily driven by continued strong demand for its advanced 3-nanometer and 5-nanometer manufacturing technologies. The company remains confident in achieving its ambitious annual revenue growth target of 24% to 26% measured in U.S. dollars. ★
