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Taiwan Investigates SMIC for Alleged Illegal Recruitment of Tech Workers

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Taiwanese authorities are investigating whether China’s top semiconductor manufacturer, SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation), has been involved in illegally luring Taiwanese tech workers. According to Taiwan’s Justice Ministry’s investigation bureau, SMIC is suspected of using a shell company posing as a Samoan firm to recruit engineers on the island, specifically targeting the semiconductor talent in Hsinchu County, home to Taiwan’s semiconductor industry hub and TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company).

The investigation is part of Taiwan’s broader effort to combat illegal activities aimed at stealing know-how and attracting talent from its advanced technology sector. Taiwan has long been a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, making its high-tech workforce a prime target for Chinese firms, especially amid growing geopolitical tensions and U.S. export restrictions on China’s semiconductor industry.

Taiwan’s investigation has been extensive, with 180 agents conducting raids at 11 companies suspected of engaging in talent poaching. The authorities have already questioned 90 people and seized evidence from 34 premises. Since 2020, more than 100 such cases have been investigated.

SMIC, which has been increasing its efforts to expand its production capacity and counter U.S. sanctions, has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.

China to Lead in Chipmaking Investment in 2025, SEMI Reports

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China is set to continue its dominance in global chipmaking investments in 2025, despite a notable year-over-year decline, according to a report from industry group SEMI. The country is expected to outpace all other regions in spending on new computer chipmaking equipment, followed by Taiwan and Korea.

Global Investment Growth

SEMI’s forecast for global fabrication plant investments shows a 2% increase in 2025, reaching $110 billion. This marks the sixth consecutive year of growth, driven largely by the demand for tools needed to produce chips for artificial intelligence (AI). SEMI predicts that the AI boom will have an even stronger impact on the industry in 2026, with an expected investment growth of 18%.

China’s Strategic Push and Decline in Investment

China has been the largest consumer of chips for years, and its chipmaking sector saw a massive push starting in mid-2023. With government support, China has accelerated efforts to reduce its dependence on imported chips, particularly in response to U.S. restrictions. Despite this surge, SEMI forecasts that China’s chipmaking spending will drop by 24% in 2025, falling to $38 billion from $50 billion in 2024. However, this still keeps China ahead of other major chip-producing countries like Korea, where SK Hynix and Samsung are expanding memory chip production, with investments projected at $21.5 billion.

Spending in Other Key Regions

Taiwan, home to TSMC, a major foundry for AI chips, is projected to spend $21 billion on chipmaking equipment in 2025. In comparison, spending in Korea will be significant, but not as high as China’s, with $21.5 billion expected. The Americas and Japan are each expected to invest $14 billion, while Europe’s investment is projected at $9 billion.

Key Players in the Equipment Market

The top players in the chip equipment market include ASML, Applied Materials, KLA, LAM Research, and Tokyo Electron. ASML, the largest chip equipment manufacturer, anticipates sales of €32-38 billion in 2025, maintaining a dominant market share in the lithography sector. Chinese equipment makers, such as Naura, AMEC, and SiCarrier (affiliated with Huawei), are also gaining traction in the market.

TSMC CEO Highlights U.S. Investment Driven by Strong Customer Demand

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Taiwanese semiconductor giant TSMC (2330.TW) announced that its increased investment in the United States is primarily driven by strong customer demand, with production lines already fully booked for this year and the next two years. CEO C.C. Wei revealed the company’s expansion plans during a press conference at Taiwan’s presidential office on Thursday. Wei emphasized that TSMC’s $100 billion investment plan, unveiled this week, would not affect its ongoing expansion efforts in Taiwan, despite concerns that overseas investments might harm the island’s semiconductor industry.

TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, plans to construct five additional chip facilities abroad, including in the U.S., Japan, and Germany. This expansion comes in response to demands from major U.S. clients like Apple, Nvidia, and Qualcomm. While TSMC is planning three new production lines in the U.S. over the coming years, it is also set to build 11 new production lines in Taiwan this year, a sign that Taiwan remains crucial to the company’s global operations.

Wei’s comments follow ongoing pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has criticized Taiwan for taking U.S. semiconductor business and has advocated for bringing semiconductor manufacturing back to U.S. soil. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te assured that Taiwan has not faced external pressure from the U.S. during TSMC’s investment decisions and pledged government support for the company’s domestic expansion.

While Taiwan maintains its dominance in the global semiconductor industry, concerns about over-reliance on the island, particularly amid rising tensions with China, have prompted discussions about diversifying production sites. TSMC’s expansion into the U.S. is seen as a potential solution to address supply chain risks for American technology companies.

Despite these developments, Trump recently called for the repeal of the 2022 bipartisan law that provides $52.7 billion in U.S. subsidies for semiconductor manufacturing, suggesting the funds should instead be used to pay off national debt.