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Taiwan Seeks Strategic AI Partnership With U.S. After Tariff Deal

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Taiwan aims to position itself as a close strategic partner of the United States in artificial intelligence following a trade deal that cuts tariffs and encourages large-scale Taiwanese investment in the U.S., Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun said on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference in Washington, Cheng said the negotiations promoted two-way high-tech investment and laid the groundwork for deeper cooperation in AI. The talks come as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump presses major semiconductor producers to expand manufacturing in the United States, particularly for chips that power AI systems.

Cheng led the negotiations that resulted in Thursday’s agreement, which reduces tariffs on many Taiwanese exports and channels new investment into the U.S. technology sector. While the deal strengthens Taiwan–U.S. ties, it risks angering China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan as its territory—claims Taipei firmly rejects.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Taiwanese companies would invest about $250 billion in the United States across semiconductors, energy and AI. That figure includes $100 billion already committed in 2025 by TSMC, the world’s leading producer of advanced AI chips, with additional investment expected. Taiwan will also guarantee another $250 billion in credit to support further projects, according to the Trump administration.

Cheng described the agreement as “win-win,” saying it would also attract more U.S. investment into Taiwan. She stressed that the expansion is company-led rather than government-directed and does not mean abandoning domestic production. “This is not about ‘moving’ but about ‘building,’” she said, calling the U.S. expansion an extension of Taiwan’s technology ecosystem.

Taiwan Economy Minister Kung Ming-hsin said investments would also cover AI servers and energy infrastructure, though companies would disclose chip-related figures themselves. Taiwan’s benchmark stock index closed at a record high on Friday, buoyed by strong TSMC earnings and investor optimism over the deal.

Chang Chien-yi, president of the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research, said the agreement underscores Washington’s view of Taiwan as a key strategic partner in semiconductors, noting it was the first country to receive preferential treatment for chips and related products.

In a statement, TSMC welcomed the prospect of robust U.S.–Taiwan trade ties, reiterating that its investment decisions are driven by market demand. The deal must still be ratified by Taiwan’s parliament, where opposition lawmakers have raised concerns about the risk of hollowing out the island’s critical chip industry.

Lutnick said the objective was to bring 40% of Taiwan’s chip supply chain to the United States, warning that production not built on U.S. soil could face tariffs of up to 100%. Kung said Taiwan estimates that by 2036 the production split for advanced chips would be closer to 80% in Taiwan and 20% in the United States.

Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said the agreement demonstrated Taiwan’s importance in global trade. “Taiwan may not be large in area, but we are agile and innovative—and an indispensable force in the global supply chain,” she said.

Nvidia Says No Upfront Payment Required for H200 AI Chips

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Nvidia said on Tuesday it does not require upfront payment for its H200 artificial intelligence chips, pushing back against reports that it had imposed unusually strict payment terms on Chinese customers.

In a statement to Reuters, Nvidia said it “would never require customers to pay for products they do not receive,” responding to a January 8 report that suggested the company was demanding full advance payment from Chinese buyers seeking access to its AI processors.

According to a source familiar with the matter, Nvidia’s standard commercial terms for Chinese clients have previously included advance payment requirements, though customers were sometimes permitted to place a deposit instead of paying the full amount upfront. The source added that, for the H200 chip, Nvidia has been more cautious in enforcing its conditions due to uncertainty over whether Chinese regulators would approve shipments.

Concerns over regulatory approval have been heightened by ongoing geopolitical tensions and export controls affecting advanced semiconductors. Any requirement for full prepayment would effectively shift financial risk from Nvidia to customers, forcing them to commit capital without assurance that Beijing would authorize the imports or that the chips could be deployed as planned.

The H200 is one of Nvidia’s most advanced AI accelerators, designed for large-scale data center workloads, and demand for the chip has surged globally as companies race to expand AI computing capacity.

Physical AI Takes Centre Stage at CES, but Humanoid Helpers Remain Distant

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Just four years after the launch of ChatGPT brought artificial intelligence into the mainstream, CES in Las Vegas this week was dominated by talk of “physical AI” — robots, humanoids and autonomous systems that move AI beyond software and into the real world.

The annual technology show highlighted a clear shift by the global tech and auto industries from pure AI software toward hardware-driven applications. From robotics and autonomous driving to AI-powered home devices, exhibitors showcased visions of how AI could reshape daily life in the coming years.

Chip designer Arm Holdings said AI is fuelling a fresh wave of innovation and demand. Arm told Reuters it has reorganised its business to create a dedicated physical AI unit aimed at expanding into robotics. “AI is really driving a whole innovation and demand cycle,” said Chris Bergey, head of Arm’s PC and mobile unit.

Humanoid robots drew particular attention. Machines from companies including LG Electronics played poker, folded paper and danced with visitors. But their slow, carefully scripted movements underlined persistent hurdles such as limited processing power, battery constraints and difficulty handling real-world situations beyond pre-programmed tasks. Analysts said affordable, capable humanoid assistants remain years away.

AI HARDWARE MEETS SOFTWARE
Major tech players used CES to underline the convergence of AI hardware and software. Lenovo hosted a high-profile event featuring Jensen Huang and Lisa Su, unveiling its Qira AI assistant designed to work across PCs, phones and wearables, including services from companies such as Expedia.

Meta Platforms showcased upgrades to its Ray-Ban Display glasses and Neural Band, while Google introduced its Gemini AI model for TVs and smart home devices.

Alongside headline products, CES also featured more questionable AI applications. From AI-powered hair clippers and dry-cleaning gadgets to digital pets and talking avatars, analysts noted that many devices previously branded as “smart” now simply carried the AI label.

CHIPS UNDER THE HOOD
Behind the scenes, chipmakers stressed the need to move AI workloads from the cloud onto devices to control costs. Intel launched its Panther Lake laptop chip, built using its new 18A manufacturing process, while AMD unveiled new processors for AI PCs.

Still, questions remain over consumer demand. “The general consumer is still not aware of what an AI PC really means,” said Ben Bajarin of Creative Strategies, adding that it could take time before the benefits become clear.

While CES made clear that physical AI is the industry’s next big push, experts agreed that truly useful, affordable humanoid servants are still a long way off.