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Commerce Secretary  Howard Lutnick  said the US will announce the results of its semiconductor import investigation in  two weeks , a move that could trigger sweeping tariffs on foreign chipmakers to drive US-based manufacturing. The probe, conducted under  Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 , reviews national security risks tied to America’s reliance on overseas chips, particularly from Taiwan. Why It Matters A ruling could impose  new tariffs on global semiconductor imports  unless companies expand production in the US. President Donald Trump said some foreign firms are already planning US investments to avoid potential penalties. The probe is part of a broader trade strategy reshaping global supply chains. Key Companies Impacted Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC)  and  Samsung Electronics  could face pressure to ramp up US production. US tech giants  Apple, NVIDIA, and Tesla , all reliant on overseas chips, may also be affected. ...

Amid global trade tensions and US chip restrictions,  China is quietly constructing a massive AI infrastructure in Xinjiang’s deserts , aiming to install over  115,000 Nvidia AI processors  in 39 data centers— despite US export bans . Key Takeaways for Investors : Massive Infrastructure Build-Up : China is developing a huge AI computing hub in Yiwu County, Xinjiang, supported by cheap renewable energy and strategic positioning. If completed, it could support advanced AI models like ChatGPT rivals. Targeting Nvidia H100 & H200 Chips : These chips are  banned from export to China  since 2022, raising questions about how China intends to source them. US officials are skeptical about a black market capable of delivering 100,000+ chips. Geopolitical Tensions Rise : The initiative adds fuel to the US-China tech cold war. It also exposes cracks in global chip export enforcement and raises national security alarms. Potential Smuggling or Alternatives? While Nvidia d...

Chinese companies should exercise caution when purchasing US-made chips, as they are "no longer safe," according to a rare coordinated statement from four of China’s leading industry associations. These organizations are urging businesses to prioritize domestic alternatives, marking an escalation in trade hostilities between the world’s two largest economies. The warning follows the latest round of US restrictions on Chinese semiconductor firms, announced Monday, targeting 140 companies, including chip equipment manufacturer Naura Technology Group. This marks the third crackdown on China’s chip industry in as many years. The tensions come as US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House in January, vowing to revive tariffs on Chinese goods, reigniting a trade war reminiscent of his first term. Industry Bodies Take a Stand The associations represent key Chinese sectors, including telecommunications, semiconductors, and the digital economy, encompassing ...

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) and Global Foundries have concluded negotiations for billions in grants and loans under the US Chips and Science Act to support their US-based semiconductor factories. The agreements, initially outlined earlier this year, are nearing official signing as the Biden administration seeks to complete funding allocations before the end of its term in January. TSMC’s package, announced in April, includes US$6.6 billion in grants and up to US$5 billion in loans for building three factories in Phoenix. GlobalFoundries’ deal, set in February, involves US$1.5 billion in grants and US$1.6 billion in loans to support a new plant in New York and expand facilities in New York and Vermont. The Chips Act earmarked US$39 billion in grants, loans, and tax credits to strengthen US semiconductor manufacturing, which has shifted significantly to Asia over recent decades. The initiative has spurred tenfold private investment commitments, including new ...