Commerce Secretary says TSMC’s US investment may top $200b

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) could see its investment in the US exceed US$200 billion, according to comments made by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in a CNBC interview.

Lutnick, who criticized the CHIPS Act subsidies to chipmakers, said he believes TSMC’s total investment could rise to over US$200 billion, but did not provide evidence for this estimate.

He also said this could create 30,000 jobs.

TSMC received US$6 billion in government funding to support its US projects.

TSMC, a chipmaker based in Taiwan, had previously pledged US$65 billion for three advanced semiconductor fabs in Arizona under the CHIPS Act, with one plant now in mass production and two more under construction.

Earlier in 2025, TSMC announced plans to invest an additional US$100 billion for three more fabs, two packaging facilities, and an R&D center, though these projects have not yet started.

🔗 Source: Focus Taiwan

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

TSMC’s US expansion is cited at $165 billion, not $200 billion

TSMC has not confirmed the News Article’s $200 billion figure, and TrendForce (a semiconductor market research firm) puts the U.S. buildout at $165 billion 1. The plan spans six Arizona fabrication plants (fabs), two advanced packaging facilities (for assembling chips into high‑performance modules), and one research and development (R&D) center 1.
US output will cover N3, N4, N5, N2, and A16 process nodes 2. The first Arizona fab entered high‑volume production in Q4 2024 1. The second fab moved off the prior 2028 start with a faster timetable and no new date disclosed 2 1.
In July 2025, TSMC said it started building the third Arizona fab, with plans for a fourth through sixth site 1. The company has not raised the total beyond $165 billion 1.
Without formal announcements, investors should treat the $200 billion figure as unconfirmed.

Workforce training programs create near-term opportunities for education technology (edtech) and staffing firms

The Arizona buildout adds about 6,000 direct manufacturing roles and over 20,000 construction positions 2. Indirect hiring runs into the tens of thousands over the decade, so technician training is needed now 2.
Rio Salado College won nearly $1 million for semiconductor education expansion 3. Northern Arizona University (NAU) secured $13 million for a Semiconductor Workforce Training Center focused on engineering and microelectronics 4.
Edtech and staffing firms face a tight window, as NAU’s microelectronics metrology (measurement and calibration) certificate already covers process control and quality assurance roles that spell out skill gaps to target 4.
The U.S. Department of Labor is sending federal money to states for workforce programs 5. Curricula that align with CHIPS Act subsidy requirements will stand out for community colleges, universities, and private workforce vendors 5.