TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s tech companies are pouring billions into Texas, seizing AI-driven opportunities while navigating shifting trade rules, Nikkei Asia reported Wednesday.

Last month, Dallas hosted Taiwan Expo USA, organized by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA). About 150 Taiwanese firms showcased products in electronics, IT, and drones.

TAITRA Chair James Huang (黃志芳) said Texas would become a world-class technology hub. Taiwanese companies have been the state’s top source of foreign direct investment over the past 18 months.

GlobalWafers, the world’s third-largest maker of silicon wafers, announced in May that it would more than double its US investment to as much as NT$230 billion (US$7.5 billion), focusing on Texas. GlobalWafers Chair Hsu Hsiu-lan (徐秀蘭) cited abundant and affordable electricity as a major advantage for wafer production.

Apple’s recent investment plans include a partnership with GlobalWafers, which will supply silicon wafers for TSMC’s US fabs. US demand from major IT companies has further accelerated Taiwanese commitments.

Contract electronics makers are also building in Texas. Wistron is investing NT$14 billion and Inventec NT$2.6 billion, with Taiwanese authorities stressing the state’s role in balancing Mexico-based supply chains and US tariff uncertainty.

Taiwan’s economics ministry is encouraging the clustering effect, opening a Dallas office last month to help firms expand. It is the ministry’s third overseas base after Prague and Fukuoka.

Labor costs in the US remain a hurdle, and automation is seen as key to making the boom sustainable. Foxconn is reportedly weighing humanoid robots at a Texas factory producing AI servers for Nvidia.