TSMC Seeks Clarity From US Amid Chips Act Subsidy Concerns

Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC said on Monday it is talking with Washington about subsidies introduced by the Biden Administration under the Chips Act.

TSMC – the world’s leading contract chipmaker – wants to clarify “guidance” notes issued by the White House about the law, which aims to boost semiconductor manufacturing in the United States, amid concerns about its criteria for subsidies.

Conditions for subsidies include sharing excess profit with the US government, and industry sources have said the application process itself could expose confidential corporate strategy.

“We can confirm that we are communicating with the US government about the CHIPS Act guidance,” TSMC said in a short emailed statement.

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Korean tech firms ‘worried’

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol also said last month that the criteria are worrying companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

Taiwan Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua told reporters on Monday that TSMC was specifically talking to the United States about the details of the subsidies.

“The Taiwan government and industry have a very close understanding (of what is going on) and hope that the details of the relevant subsidy legislation will not affect industrial cooperation between the two sides and costs for industry-related construction,” she said.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC) is investing $40 billion in a new plant in the western US state of Arizona, supporting Washington’s plans for more chip-making at home.

Details of expected subsidies for the plant have not been disclosed.

The subsidies would come from a $52 billion pool of research and manufacturing funds earmarked under the CHIPS Act.

The US Department of Commerce said last month it will protect confidential business information and expects that the requirement to share excess profit will only occur when projects significantly exceed projected cash flow.