Machine translation:
Since taking office, the U.S. president has been making frequent moves, triggering a global trade war. Every action he takes draws significant attention, with the market anticipating that TSMC will be at the forefront of Trump's economic storm. Particular concerns revolve around semiconductor tariffs and investment in the U.S. In response, technology expert Xu Meihua analyzed Trump's true intentions, stating that his ultimate goal is to revive Intel’s chip manufacturing. Tariffs are merely a tactic, while getting TSMC to "rescue" Intel is the underlying strategy behind all the maneuvering.
On Wednesday (12th), late at night, Xu Meihua posted on Facebook that Trump had recently announced his intention to impose tariffs on Taiwanese chips, even suggesting an extreme increase of up to 100%. At that time, Trump explained that the purpose was to use tariffs to pressure TSMC into building factories in the U.S., thereby bringing chip manufacturing back to American soil.
However, Xu Meihua believes that Trump left some things unsaid. She pointed out that what Trump truly desires is not simply TSMC setting up factories in the U.S. His ultimate goal is for Intel’s chip manufacturing to be revived—ensuring that an American company can independently produce American chips.
Xu further revealed that around the Lunar New Year, both TSMC and high-level officials in the Taiwanese government received messages from the Trump administration regarding its real intentions. The message was clear: they wanted TSMC to help save Intel, but without acquiring it, as the U.S. government aims to preserve Intel as the nation's chip-making lifeline.
Xu then raised an important question: If TSMC does not acquire Intel, how exactly does Trump expect to "save" it? Would TSMC send a team to take over Intel’s operations and provide technical guidance? Does TSMC even have the capacity to manage Intel? After all, TSMC is already aggressively expanding in Taiwan and globally, struggling to meet its workforce demands.
She noted that Trump’s proposal has left many people baffled—how exactly would this be implemented, and how could it work?
According to industry rumors shared by Xu, Wall Street has outlined three possible strategies:
1. Best-case scenario: TSMC invests in Intel with its technology, with TSMC providing the expertise while the U.S. provides the funding—effectively reviving Intel.
2. Middle-ground solution: TSMC’s Arizona plant goes public on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
3. Worst-case scenario: The U.S. imposes tariffs on TSMC, resulting in a lose-lose situation for both Taiwan and America.
After assessing information from multiple sources, Xu believes the first option is the most likely outcome. However, she emphasized that this “best-case scenario” is from an American perspective, not necessarily from Taiwan's or TSMC’s viewpoint.
Xu further pointed out that this situation is still unfolding, with the Trump administration lacking a concrete plan and no definitive course of action. The ultimate goal remains clear: saving Intel, with the hope that TSMC will come up with a solution—even if it means resorting to impractical tariff threats to exert pressure.
Despite the circumstances, Xu does not see this as pressure or punishment directed at TSMC or Taiwan. Instead, she views it as a recognition of TSMC’s strategic importance. From a positive perspective, TSMC has once again been acknowledged by the U.S. government. How many companies in the world can claim such an achievement? Being singled out by the U.S. government as the key to saving their "precious" Intel—isn’t that something for Taiwan to be proud of?
Since taking office, the U.S. president has been making frequent moves, triggering a global trade war. Every action he takes draws significant attention, with the market anticipating that TSMC will be at the forefront of Trump's economic storm. Particular concerns revolve around semiconductor tariffs and investment in the U.S. In response, technology expert Xu Meihua analyzed Trump's true intentions, stating that his ultimate goal is to revive Intel’s chip manufacturing. Tariffs are merely a tactic, while getting TSMC to "rescue" Intel is the underlying strategy behind all the maneuvering.
On Wednesday (12th), late at night, Xu Meihua posted on Facebook that Trump had recently announced his intention to impose tariffs on Taiwanese chips, even suggesting an extreme increase of up to 100%. At that time, Trump explained that the purpose was to use tariffs to pressure TSMC into building factories in the U.S., thereby bringing chip manufacturing back to American soil.
However, Xu Meihua believes that Trump left some things unsaid. She pointed out that what Trump truly desires is not simply TSMC setting up factories in the U.S. His ultimate goal is for Intel’s chip manufacturing to be revived—ensuring that an American company can independently produce American chips.
Xu further revealed that around the Lunar New Year, both TSMC and high-level officials in the Taiwanese government received messages from the Trump administration regarding its real intentions. The message was clear: they wanted TSMC to help save Intel, but without acquiring it, as the U.S. government aims to preserve Intel as the nation's chip-making lifeline.
Xu then raised an important question: If TSMC does not acquire Intel, how exactly does Trump expect to "save" it? Would TSMC send a team to take over Intel’s operations and provide technical guidance? Does TSMC even have the capacity to manage Intel? After all, TSMC is already aggressively expanding in Taiwan and globally, struggling to meet its workforce demands.
She noted that Trump’s proposal has left many people baffled—how exactly would this be implemented, and how could it work?
According to industry rumors shared by Xu, Wall Street has outlined three possible strategies:
1. Best-case scenario: TSMC invests in Intel with its technology, with TSMC providing the expertise while the U.S. provides the funding—effectively reviving Intel.
2. Middle-ground solution: TSMC’s Arizona plant goes public on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
3. Worst-case scenario: The U.S. imposes tariffs on TSMC, resulting in a lose-lose situation for both Taiwan and America.
After assessing information from multiple sources, Xu believes the first option is the most likely outcome. However, she emphasized that this “best-case scenario” is from an American perspective, not necessarily from Taiwan's or TSMC’s viewpoint.
Xu further pointed out that this situation is still unfolding, with the Trump administration lacking a concrete plan and no definitive course of action. The ultimate goal remains clear: saving Intel, with the hope that TSMC will come up with a solution—even if it means resorting to impractical tariff threats to exert pressure.
Despite the circumstances, Xu does not see this as pressure or punishment directed at TSMC or Taiwan. Instead, she views it as a recognition of TSMC’s strategic importance. From a positive perspective, TSMC has once again been acknowledged by the U.S. government. How many companies in the world can claim such an achievement? Being singled out by the U.S. government as the key to saving their "precious" Intel—isn’t that something for Taiwan to be proud of?
