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Qualcomm CEO Visits Samsung Foundry in Korea for 2nm Chip Production Talks

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Qualcomm CEO Flies to Korea, Hunting 2nm Wafers at Samsung and LPDDR Supply at SK Hynix

Qualcomm, which has recently depended heavily on TSMC for manufacturing its flagship chipsets, may be preparing for a strategic shift in its production partnerships. The company is reportedly exploring a renewed collaboration with Samsung Foundry for its next-generation processors, signaling a potential change in its long-standing supply chain approach for high-end mobile chips.

According to reports, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon has traveled to South Korea to engage in high-level discussions with Samsung executives. The primary focus of these meetings is understood to be the production of the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset, which is expected to be built using Samsung’s advanced 2nm manufacturing process. This move suggests that Qualcomm is seriously considering diversifying its semiconductor manufacturing partners once again.

One of the key reasons behind this possible shift is believed to be improvements in Samsung’s foundry performance, particularly in yield efficiency, along with rising manufacturing costs across the industry. These factors are reportedly making Samsung a more competitive option for next-generation chip production, especially as demand for more efficient and powerful mobile processors continues to grow.

During his visit, Amon is also reported to have met with executives from SK Hynix, indicating broader discussions around the semiconductor supply ecosystem in South Korea. This highlights Qualcomm’s ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships across multiple key players in the industry as it prepares for future product generations.

If finalized, this partnership could mark Qualcomm’s return to Samsung’s foundry business after relying primarily on TSMC in recent years. Such a development would not only reshape Qualcomm’s manufacturing strategy but could also intensify competition in the advanced semiconductor production space, particularly in the race toward 2nm technology leadership.

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.

ASML Tops $500 Billion Market Value on TSMC Spending Boost

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Shares of ASML pushed the company’s market capitalisation past $500 billion for the first time on Thursday, after key customer TSMC announced a much larger-than-expected increase in capital spending to meet surging demand for AI chips.

TSMC said it plans to spend between $52 billion and $56 billion in 2026, well above analysts’ expectations of about $46 billion. The higher budget implies significantly more spending on advanced chipmaking tools, benefiting ASML, the world’s only supplier of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines.

ASML shares rose 5.4% by mid-day trading, extending their January gains to around 24% and cementing the company’s position as Europe’s most valuable listed firm. Analysts say ASML stands out as a major winner from the AI investment cycle, alongside memory chipmakers such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

TSMC’s stepped-up investment also reflects strong demand from clients including Nvidia and Apple. While ASML has forecast only modest growth for 2026 due to the slow pace of new fab construction, analysts say TSMC’s plans improve visibility for stronger growth into 2027 and beyond.