TSMC Has Not Reported Any Intel Acquisition Plans to Taiwan Government, Says Minister

Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs, Kuo Chih-hui, has confirmed that the government has not received any information regarding TSMC acquiring a 20% stake in Intel. In a recent interview reported by Taiwanese press, Minister Kuo emphasized that any such deal would require formal approval from Taiwan's Investment Review Commission, which has yet to be approached with details of this potential transaction.

Despite Intel's shares gaining nearly 14% year-to-date amid investor optimism regarding the firm's turnaround—driven by its efforts to ramp up its 18A manufacturing process and entice customers to its fabs—the future of Intel's partnership with TSMC remains uncertain. Intel has long struggled with advanced manufacturing processes, a challenge that allowed TSMC to secure its dominant position in the global contract chip manufacturing industry. Meanwhile, TSMC is set to mass-produce its 2-nanometer technology, intensifying the competitive landscape.

Rumors have circulated about various forms of collaboration between TSMC and Intel, ranging from TSMC acquiring Intel's foundries to taking a minority stake in Intel's foundry operations. However, Minister Kuo stated that his ministry and the Investment Review Commission have not received any official communication from TSMC regarding such transactions. When asked for comment on these reports, he declined to speculate, noting,

"I have yet to receive any official information from TSMC. Should we receive any details about these investments, we will share additional information with our ministry and the review committee."

An earlier investment note from Mizuho had suggested that much of Intel's stock gains stemmed from investor hopes that the Trump administration would facilitate advanced AI chip production in the United States by encouraging partnerships between TSMC and American firms. However, as these expectations have begun to temper, Intel's stock has pared back most of those gains.

What do you think about the potential for deeper collaboration between TSMC and Intel? Will such a move reshape the global semiconductor landscape, or are these rumors just that? Share your thoughts in the comments below!