White House plan to convert CHIPS Act subsidies into stakes in chipmakers triggers alarm over industrial autonomy

The U.S. is considering taking equity stakes in foreign chipmakers, including Samsung Electronics and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), that are building plants in the country with support from the CHIPS and Science Act, Reuters reported this week. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is examining structures that would convert part of federal grants into ownership positions to secure supply chains and returns on taxpayer support.

The White House confirmed it is working on a 10% stake in Intel and framed the approach as a “creative way” to align national security and economic objectives. The ROK presidential office said on Thursday that Korean companies have not received any such proposal from the U.S. government. President Lee Jae-myung’s first meeting with President Donald Trump is coming up on Aug. 25.

The U.S. is considering taking equity stakes in foreign chipmakers, including Samsung Electronics and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), that are building plants in the country with support from the CHIPS and Science Act, Reuters reported this week. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is examining structures that would convert part of federal grants into ownership positions to secure supply chains and returns on taxpayer support.

The White House confirmed it is working on a 10% stake in Intel and framed the approach as a “creative way” to align national security and economic objectives. The ROK presidential office said on Thursday that Korean companies have not received any such proposal from the U.S. government. President Lee Jae-myung’s first meeting with President Donald Trump is coming up on Aug. 25.

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