On February 10, the Financial Times disclosed that the Trump administration intends to exempt tech behemoths like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft from the impending chip tariffs. These corporations are in a fierce competition to construct data centers that fuel the AI craze, necessitating significant chip imports. The exemption blueprint underscores Trump's unwavering resolve to spur domestic chip production in the US, while simultaneously offering a cushion for firms that heavily depend on imported semiconductors to underpin the swift growth of the US AI sector. These exemptions will hinge on TSMC's investment pledges, as TSMC has committed to investing a staggering $165 billion in the US to bolster its manufacturing capabilities.
