In recent months, there's been no shortage of chatter in global media about a so-called "TSMC-to-the-rescue" narrative surrounding Intel. Yet when Lip-bu Tan took the stage for his first public address as Intel's new CEO at the Intel Vision 2025 summit, he gave no indication of such a storyline.

The US government announced on April 2 a new tariff policy imposing a uniform 10% duty on all imported goods. Additionally, the policy introduces reciprocal tariffs ranging from 1% to 49% for specific trade partners. A key provision of the policy allows for tariff reductions if at least 20% of a product's value originates from American-made components, a move that could significantly impact industries reliant on semiconductor imports.

TSMC and Intel have reached a preliminary agreement to establish a joint venture for operating a semiconductor fab in the US, Reuters reported, citing The Information. The report indicated that while neither company was eager to proceed, pressure from the White House and the US Department of Commerce played a crucial role in pushing the deal forward.

Despite rumors of reduced orders for advanced packaging capacities, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is ramping up its advanced packaging capacity to meet the growing demand for AI chips.

In his "Liberation Day" speech on April 2, former U.S. President Donald Trump singled out key players in the global tech and trade landscape — including TSMC, its chairman C.C. Wei, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and notably China's President Xi Jinping — as he unveiled a sweeping reciprocal tariff plan aimed at bringing manufacturing back to America.

The White House has announced a significant shift in US trade policy, asserting that access to the American market is "a privilege, not a right." The Trump administration emphasized a move away from what they described as past trade deals that yielded "empty promises" and a firm stance on reciprocal tariffs.

For the first 45 years after Intel's founding, from its first CEO Robert Noyce to its fifth, Paul Otellini, the company focused on perfecting the IDM (integrated device manufacturing) model. The "Intel Inside" campaign became a global success, cementing Intel's position at the top of the semiconductor industry. It wasn't until 2013 when Brian Krzanich became Intel's sixth CEO that the company made its first tentative steps into foundry services.

The demand for telecom chips is one of the relatively stable applications driving recovery momentum in 2025. So far, Taiwanese chip manufacturers maintain a positive outlook for the market conditions in 2025, particularly due to the apparent upgrade demands for telecom specifications in Europe and the US.

Chunghwa Precision Test Tech (CHPT) anticipates strong growth throughout 2025, driven by increasing demand for AI-driven high-performance computing and a key mobile application processor (AP) client set to begin mass production in the fourth quarter. President Scott Huang stated that CHPT aims to surpass its 2022 revenue peak and establish a new record.

Jabil has introduced advanced transceivers capable of transmitting data at speeds reaching 1.6 Terabits per second, aimed at addressing the increasing demand from sectors such as artificial intelligence and machine learning workloads, high-performance computing, and data center connectivity. These transceivers, utilizing Intel Silicon Photonics technology, support data transmission of 200 Gigabits per lane across both electrical and optical interfaces. They are available in three variants—DR8, DR8+, and 2xFR4—allowing data centers to double their bandwidth capacity without needing infrastructure changes, while also maintaining low energy consumption.

During China's peak prosperity, Taiwan managed to survive under significant pressure. Now, freed from direct Chinese constraints, Taiwan continues to navigate challenges alongside global powers. Within the G2 dynamic, Taiwan grapples with internal limitations such as energy, talent, and land. Even the goal of maintaining the status quo poses an increasingly daunting challenge, with US policy toward Taiwan—especially under the Trump administration—remaining a critical factor.