Despite attractive deals, TSMC turned down offers to build chip factories in Qatar, Singapore, and India. The company already makes chips in Japan and America, with US plants creating advanced 4-nanometer products. Building in America stirred debate because higher worker pay and supply problems could raise costs by about 30 percent. These countries wanted TSMC because it leads in making AI chips with its main customer, NVIDIA.
The chip maker bases factory decisions on where its customers need products, not just which country offers the best deal. TSMC needs trained workers and steady orders to earn back the billions spent on new buildings. Qatar tried hardest among the three countries, offering extra money to change TSMC's mind. Middle Eastern nations wanted the newest chip technology rather than older systems. The company found better worker skills and materials suppliers in America and Japan for its current expansion plans.
The chip maker bases factory decisions on where its customers need products, not just which country offers the best deal. TSMC needs trained workers and steady orders to earn back the billions spent on new buildings. Qatar tried hardest among the three countries, offering extra money to change TSMC's mind. Middle Eastern nations wanted the newest chip technology rather than older systems. The company found better worker skills and materials suppliers in America and Japan for its current expansion plans.
