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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.

TSMC Fourth-Quarter Revenue Jumps 20%, Beating Market Forecasts

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TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, reported a 20.45% year-on-year rise in fourth-quarter revenue on Friday, beating market expectations as booming demand for artificial intelligence applications lifted sales.

Revenue for the October–December period reached T$1.046 trillion ($33.11 billion), based on Reuters calculations from the company’s monthly disclosures, up from T$868.46 billion a year earlier. The result topped an LSEG SmartEstimate of T$1.036 trillion and came within the company’s previous guidance range of $32.2 billion to $33.4 billion issued in October.

TSMC has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the global AI boom, supplying advanced chips to customers such as Nvidia and Apple. Strong AI-related demand has more than offset softer orders for chips used in consumer electronics, where pandemic-driven demand has faded.

The company is scheduled to report full fourth-quarter earnings on January 15, when it is expected to provide updated guidance for the current quarter and the full year. Investors will be watching closely for details on capital expenditure plans and revenue growth expectations.

TSMC’s Taipei-listed shares rose 44.2% in 2025, significantly outperforming the broader Taiwanese market, which gained 25.7%. The strong performance mirrors broader momentum in the semiconductor supply chain driven by AI. Earlier this week, Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics maker and a key Nvidia server supplier, also reported robust fourth-quarter sales.

Taiwan’s Chip Industry a Pillar of Global Stability and National Defence, Tsai Ing-wen Says

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Former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen told the Berlin Freedom Conference on Monday that Taiwan’s world-leading semiconductor industry not only underpins global prosperity but also strengthens the island’s defence and resilience amid growing external threats.

“Our high-tech sector, particularly in semiconductors, has become an indispensable part of the global economy,” Tsai said. “In an age where AI also defines power, Taiwan’s chip industry anchors global prosperity.”

Tsai emphasized that Taiwan’s role as a global technology hub has become a strategic asset for both economic and national security, reinforcing its position in the global supply chain while deterring potential aggression.

“Now, it is such an initiative that helps Taiwan strengthen its defence and societal resilience in the face of threats,” she added, stressing that Taiwan remains committed to sharing its expertise with international partners.

While Taiwan maintains official diplomatic ties with only the Vatican in Europe, Tsai noted growing engagement with European countries such as Britain, France, Lithuania, and Poland, which have continued to host Taiwanese officials despite Beijing’s objections.

Her remarks come as the island’s semiconductor industry — led by TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker — continues to play a central role in global AI and advanced computing technologies, making Taiwan a critical player in the modern digital economy.