TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Economics Minister Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝) said that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s plan to invest NT$3.294 trillion (US$100 billion) in the US does not mean the company will become American.

“In the long run, I think the investment may not be enough to attract the entire supply chain to go,” Kuo told reporters outside the legislature on Tuesday. He said suggestions that TSMC may become “USSMC” (美積電) were uncalled for, per CNA.

Kuo was responding to questions about TSMC CEO C.C. Wei’s (魏哲家) Monday investment announcement with US President Donald Trump at the White House. Wei said the investment will go toward three more fabs, two advanced packaging facilities, and an R&D center in Arizona.  

Kuo said the investment would not decrease Taiwan’s value to the world and noted that TSMC has many customers other than those in the US. “The whole world relies on chips produced by Taiwan,” he said.

Kuo did not directly answer when asked if he thought the announcement was related to Trump's threat to place tariffs on imports of Taiwan’s semiconductors. He said all companies will consider their markets, the resources of an investment destination, and the global layout when making investment decisions.

Kuo said the economics ministry had some knowledge of the investment before it was announced. He did not say what the ministry was informed of.