TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The U.S. government considers acquiring equity stakes in chip companies receiving federal subsidies under the 2022 CHIPS Act, though major semiconductor manufacturers may be excluded from such arrangements. A U.S. official clarified Thursday (Aug. 21) that the government has no intention to invest in companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSMC, 台積電) that are expanding their U.S. investments. Companies not committing to increased investments might exchange equity for government subsidies under the proposed framework.
Industry insiders revealed that TSMC executives have preliminarily discussed returning government subsidies if the Trump administration demands equity stakes, signaling potential corporate resistance to ownership arrangements. The sources noted that TSMC agreed to construct a manufacturing facility in Arizona under pressure from the Biden administration but has never heavily relied on U.S. financial support for its operations. TSMC declined to provide comment on the matter when contacted.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo confirmed in a CNBC interview Aug. 19 that the government is discussing acquiring a 10% stake in Intel Corporation and might consider similar arrangements with other semiconductor firms. Raimondo explained that the Biden administration's chip legislation essentially provided direct funding to Intel, TSMC, and Samsung, while the Trump administration preferred converting subsidies into equity stakes. The statement has raised concerns among industry executives about potential government ownership in major chip manufacturers including TSMC, Micron Technology, and Samsung. ◼
