TSMC explores additional chip production in Texas
The Taiwanese chipmaker is considering expansion in the United States and is open to co-operation on a new factory project.
Follow-up to: TSMC posts record profit on demand for AI chips Thursday, 15 October 2026, 19:02
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TSMC is examining whether it can expand chip production in Texas alongside Arizona. The announcement came during an investor presentation in which the company again reported record figures, driven by strong demand for chips used in artificial intelligence.
Chief executive C.C. Wei said, according to news agency AP, that TSMC had sent teams to Texas to assess the possibilities. No final decision has been made. The company is considering several options and stresses that any potential factory would have to operate under its own management.
TSMC is also open to co-operation on Terafab, a planned chip project in Texas linked to Elon Musk. According to the company, the discussions are still at an exploratory stage. It is therefore too early to speak of a new factory or a confirmed investment.
The move follows TSMC's quarterly results, presented on Thursday. In the third quarter, net profit amounted to 763.1 billion Taiwanese dollars, equivalent to almost €24 billion. That was 69 per cent more than a year earlier. Revenue came to 1.49 trillion Taiwanese dollars, 51 per cent higher year on year.
This confirms once again that demand for powerful chips and advanced production capacity remains strong. The company supplies, among others, American technology companies. The growth also indicates that the global expansion of data centres and AI systems will continue to require large quantities of semiconductors for the time being.
For the United States, any potential expansion fits the policy of bringing more advanced chip production onto domestic soil. TSMC has already announced substantial investments in Arizona. A second American production site would increase geographical diversification, but would also create new demands on staff, infrastructure and suppliers.
For Dutch companies, TSMC's capacity is particularly important. ASML supplies machines to the chip industry, but the possible factory is not yet an order for a Dutch company. Nor does the announcement say anything about the eventual scale, financing or timetable of a project in Texas. Those points still need to be worked out first.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- TSMC is examining additional production capacity in Texas, but has not yet made a final investment decision.
- The US government wants more advanced chip production in the United States.
- TSMC reported strong growth driven by demand for AI chips.
Left
Arguments An expansion should be accompanied by firm conditions on workers' rights, public support and environmental impact. Government support should not merely increase the profits of a global company.
Values Public oversight, a fair distribution of economic benefits, and protection of workers and the living environment.
Consequences Without conditions, taxpayers' money and infrastructure investment could primarily benefit private shareholders; with conditions, the investment could create regional employment.
Centre
Arguments The strategic dependence on a small number of chip producers justifies spreading production, but any decision should be based on economic viability.
Values Security of supply, transparency and institutional diligence.
Consequences A phased approach limits risks and gives governments and companies time to organise staff, energy and supply chains.
Right
Arguments The United States must be able to produce key technologies itself and may offer competitive conditions to companies capable of providing that capacity.
Values National security, entrepreneurship and economic strength.
Consequences Rapid expansion could reduce dependence on production sites in Asia, but long-term subsidies could distort market incentives.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core facts have been confirmed by AP and TSMC. The text clearly distinguishes between an exploration and a final investment decision.
- confirmed TSMC is examining an expansion of chip production in Texas. — AP quotes chief executive C.C. Wei on teams assessing Texas. source
- confirmed TSMC reported net profit of 763.1 billion Taiwanese dollars for the third quarter, 69 per cent more than a year earlier. — AP gives the profit figure and year-on-year development. source
- confirmed Revenue amounted to 1.49 trillion Taiwanese dollars and rose by 51 per cent. — AP gives both figures. source
- confirmed TSMC is open to co-operation on Terafab. — AP describes Wei's comment during the quarterly presentation. source
Editor's note
The exploration of Texas, the quarterly figures and the status of Terafab have been confirmed. There is not yet a concrete investment or construction timetable.Sources
The story so far
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 19:02 TSMC posts record profit on demand for AI chips
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 19:10 TSMC explores additional chip production in Texas (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- NU.nl — „tsmc chips”
- De Telegraaf — „tsmc chips”
- de Volkskrant — „tsmc chips”