TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — TSMC will hold its first US board meeting on Wednesday.
The meeting is being held in the US primarily because TSMC's new semiconductor fab has officially begun mass production, UDN money reported. This offers board members an opportunity to review the company’s operations in the region.
This is the first time in the company's 37-year history that the board will convene in the US, making it a highly anticipated event amid escalating trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainties. While TSMC has confirmed the timing of the meeting, the specific location and agenda details remain undisclosed.
Experts anticipate that the meeting will address routine matters, such as the fourth-quarter dividend payout and the first-quarter capital budget. However, the main focus is expected to be the company’s strategies for navigating shifting global geopolitical dynamics.
Although the meeting’s agenda is expected to follow standard procedures, many believe TSMC may announce new investment plans in the US to mitigate the impact of growing trade tensions and potential tariffs targeting Taiwan.
Expected attendees include CEO C.C. Wei (魏哲家), Tseng Fang Chung (曾繁城), Liu Chin-ching (劉鏡清), and independent directors such as Peter L. Bonfield, Michael R. Splinter, Moshe N. Gavrielov, L. Rafael Reif, and Ursula M. Burns. Also likely to attend are former CEO of Sunoco Lynn L. Elsenhans and Lin Chuan (林全).
Semiconductor analyst Andrew Lu (陸行之) has cited industry sources mentioning potential strategies such as TSMC’s expansion of US investments, technology equity, or a possible technology transfer arrangement. There is also speculation about a multi-billion-dollar investment in TikTok, which could temporarily shield TSMC from trade pressures, per CTEE.
However, Lu cautioned that these ideas are speculative and unverified. TSMC’s stock price declined on Monday, reflecting market uncertainty over the company’s direction.
Lu questioned whether the meeting was TSMC’s decision or if it was prompted by US government requests. He suggested that the significance of the meeting could be linked to major announcements.
Despite these possibilities, Lu believes a technology equity stake would be the best outcome for TSMC’s current shareholders. However, with growing pressure from the Trump administration, TSMC may have limited negotiating leverage.
Technology equity investment involves individuals or companies contributing their proprietary technology as a form of capital to a business or project. This non-cash contribution is commonly used in high-tech or technology-focused industries, according to Vocus.
The main idea behind technology equity investment is to treat technology as an asset, assigning it a value and converting it into equity or shares in the company. In return for providing the technology, the investor receives ownership stakes and participates in the company’s business outcomes.
