Taiwan Eyes More Chip Investment in Arizona to Deepen US Ties

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Taiwan is looking forward to further semiconductor investment in Arizona to strengthen economic and strategic ties with the United States, President Lai Ching-te said during a meeting with U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego. Lai highlighted the growing role of Taiwanese firms, led by TSMC, in boosting U.S. chip manufacturing capacity.

TSMC is investing $165 billion in the Phoenix area to build advanced fabrication plants producing chips used in artificial intelligence, marking one of the largest foreign investments in U.S. manufacturing. Lai said Taiwan hopes to see additional manufacturing, research and development facilities established in Arizona, further reinforcing bilateral cooperation.

The comments come shortly after Taiwan and the United States agreed to cut U.S. tariffs on Taiwanese exports to 15% from 20%. Under the deal, Taiwanese companies will invest $250 billion in U.S. semiconductors, energy and AI, alongside $250 billion in credit guarantees to support future projects.

Senator Gallego said Arizona had become a hub for Taiwanese investment and expressed optimism that the partnership would continue to expand.

US Lawmakers Seek Congressional Scrutiny of TikTok Joint Venture Deal

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U.S. lawmakers said a proposed joint venture by TikTok and its Chinese parent ByteDance to avoid a nationwide ban requires close congressional scrutiny, citing unresolved national security concerns. The deal would create a majority American-owned entity to operate TikTok in the United States, with U.S. and global investors holding 80.1% and ByteDance retaining 19.9%.

Republican Representative Jack Moolenaar, chair of the House select committee on China, said lawmakers must examine whether China could still influence TikTok’s algorithm or access U.S. user data. Democratic Senator Ed Markey also criticised the lack of transparency, saying Congress has a duty to investigate whether the arrangement truly protects national security while keeping the app online.

TikTok said the new entity would safeguard U.S. data, apps and algorithms through enhanced cybersecurity and privacy measures, but disclosed few details. The White House and TikTok declined immediate comment. The agreement marks a key moment after years of political and legal battles over TikTok’s operations in the United States.

Trump Administration Pushes Out Official Who Banned Chinese Vehicles

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The Trump administration has pushed out a senior U.S. Commerce Department official whose office played a key role in effectively barring Chinese passenger vehicles from the American market on national security grounds, according to people familiar with the matter.

Elizabeth “Liz” Cannon has resigned as executive director of the Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS), which was created in 2022 to investigate supply-chain threats posed by foreign adversaries. Sources said Cannon would have been reassigned if she had not stepped down, and that the administration plans to replace her with a political appointee. Her departure is expected to take effect on February 20.

Cannon’s exit comes amid a broader slowdown in proposed restrictions on Chinese technology imports. The Commerce Department recently withdrew plans to restrict Chinese drones and has put on hold rules targeting medium- and heavy-duty trucks from China. However, regulations finalized last year that effectively block Chinese passenger cars over data-security concerns remain in force.

President Donald Trump has sent mixed signals on the issue, saying he would welcome Chinese automakers that build factories and hire workers in the United States. The Commerce Department said recent staffing changes would strengthen its ability to address national security risks from foreign technology.

Analysts warn Cannon’s departure could weaken U.S. expertise in assessing long-term technology threats, even as Washington and Beijing maintain a fragile trade truce.