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Micron Expands US Investment by $30 Billion Amid Trump’s Onshoring Push

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Micron Technology announced on Thursday a significant expansion of its U.S. investment plans, adding $30 billion to its existing commitments as President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to American soil. The memory chip maker now projects total investments of $200 billion, up from previous plans of approximately $125 billion.

The new funding will support the construction of a second cutting-edge memory fabrication facility in Boise, Idaho, and the expansion of its manufacturing site in Manassas, Virginia. “These investments are designed to allow Micron to meet expected market demand, maintain share and support Micron’s goal of producing 40% of its DRAM in the U.S.,” the company stated.

Micron’s DRAM chips are widely used in personal computers, automotive systems, industrial equipment, wireless communications, and artificial intelligence. The company’s High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) products are seen as essential for powering next-generation AI models. About $50 billion of Micron’s total investment will be dedicated to research and development.

President Trump’s administration has pushed hard for semiconductor onshoring, with Trump threatening new tariffs on chip imports and reconsidering previous subsidies granted under former President Joe Biden. In December, Micron secured nearly $6.2 billion in government subsidies through Biden’s $52.7 billion 2022 CHIPS and Science Act. Trump’s administration is now renegotiating some of those grants, according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

The expansion aligns with broader trends in the U.S. semiconductor industry. Nvidia, a key customer of Micron, announced plans in April to build AI servers worth up to $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years, in partnership with firms such as Taiwan’s TSMC. “Micron’s investment in advanced memory manufacturing and HBM capabilities in the U.S., with support from (the) Trump administration, is an important step forward for the AI ecosystem,” said Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

Micron also finalized a $275 million direct funding award under the CHIPS Act to further support its Manassas facility expansion.

Qualcomm Opens AI Research and Development Centre in Vietnam

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Qualcomm, the U.S.-based chipmaker, announced on Tuesday the launch of a new artificial intelligence (AI) research and development centre in Vietnam.

The centre will focus on advancing generative and agentic AI technologies across a variety of fields including smartphones, personal computers, extended reality (XR), automotive, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

This initiative aligns with Vietnam’s national strategies on AI, semiconductors, and digital transformation. Qualcomm plans to emphasize technology transfer, ecosystem collaboration, and capacity building as part of its operations.

During a meeting in Hanoi, Alex Rogers, Qualcomm’s President of Global Affairs, met with Vietnam’s top leader, To Lam. To Lam encouraged Qualcomm to continue expanding its presence in Vietnam, especially in semiconductor manufacturing and digital infrastructure sectors.

Malaysia Denies Government Role in AI Project Involving Huawei Ascend Chips

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Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has officially clarified that the government is not involved in a reported artificial intelligence project using Huawei’s Ascend chips, distancing itself from earlier reports suggesting official backing.

The clarification follows local media coverage on Monday that claimed Malaysian firm Skyvast Corporation would deploy Huawei’s Ascend AI chips in a domestic initiative. In response, MITI stated the project “was not developed, endorsed, or coordinated by the Government of Malaysia, nor does it form part of any Government-to-Government agreement or nationally mandated technology programme.”

Huawei, for its part, told Reuters that it has not sold any Ascend chips in Malaysia, and that the Malaysian government has made no such purchases. The Chinese tech giant developed the Ascend line after being cut off from U.S. suppliers, positioning the chips as domestic alternatives amid Washington’s escalating export restrictions on advanced semiconductors, particularly from Nvidia.

The Malaysian ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to complying with international export control laws, national security regulations, and guidance from global regulatory bodies. The statement appears aimed at avoiding diplomatic friction amid growing U.S. scrutiny over AI-related tech flows involving China.

Skyvast Corporation has not responded to requests for comment.

The backtracking highlights the sensitivity of semiconductor and AI technology partnerships in the current geopolitical climate, especially as countries weigh alignment with U.S.-led technology sanctions while maintaining ties with Chinese tech firms.