TSMC is once again in talks with US officials over a possible gigafab in the UAE

What just happened? TSMC is once again in talks with US officials about a potential advanced chip factory in the United Arab Emirates. The plan has been floated before under the Biden administration, but now it appears to have gained new life following recent conversations between TSMC, the Trump administration, and UAE representatives. A Bloomberg report, citing sources familiar with the matter, highlights that the proposed plant would be a gigafab, essentially a sprawling complex of multiple chipmaking facilities. If it comes to pass, it would represent a massive leap in the UAE's ambitions to become a key player in this field, even though it currently lacks skilled semiconductor labor. TSMC has reportedly met several times in recent months with Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, and MGX, a powerful UAE investment fund tied to the ruling family. The renewed interest comes amid broader negotiations around AI cooperation between the two countries. Still, don't e ... Read full article.