Taiwan economic system ministry has obtained no details about any TSMC funding in Intel, US

TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan’s economic system minister mentioned on Tuesday his ministry had not obtained details about an abroad funding utility by Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC, when requested about potential funding in Intel and the USA.

U.S. media has reported that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, the world’s largest contract chipmaker and a serious provider to corporations together with Apple and Nvidia, has been in talks to probably take a stake in Intel.

Neither TSMC nor Intel has confirmed the reviews.

Any massive abroad funding by a Taiwanese firm wants authorities approval, particularly from the economic system ministry’s funding evaluation fee.

Talking to reporters in Taipei, Economic system Minister Kuo Jyh-huei mentioned he couldn’t touch upon market rumours, and the ministry would solely have “sure discussions” if it obtained an official “report” from TSMC.

“As a result of it entails overseas funding it might undergo our funding fee. To date we’ve got not obtained any data, so I’ve no strategy to touch upon this concern,” Kuo mentioned.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised Taiwan, saying it has taken away American semiconductor enterprise and that he needs manufacturing to return to the USA.

Trump has threatened to place tariffs each on semiconductor imports and nations with which the USA has a big commerce imbalance.

Taiwan runs a big commerce surplus with the USA.

Earlier this month, one of many economic system ministry’s deputy ministers, Cynthia Kiang, visited the USA for talks.

Kuo mentioned that journey was to “acquire data” and discuss with present and former U.S. officers.

He didn’t elaborate.

(Reporting by Wen-Yee Lee and Ben Blanchard; Enhancing by Tom Hogue and Michael Perry)