The US government is not planning to take equity stakes in chipmakers, such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Micron, Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, as the Trump administration considers taking a 10 per cent holding in Intel.

After various media reported earlier in the week the US was looking into taking stakes in chipmakers receiving federal subsidies, the WSJ wrote the US government is not considering acquiring equity in chipmakers if they have plans to increase their domestic investments.

US officials, however, stated companies that “aren’t boosting their pledges” could need to give the government equity in exchange for the subsidies, the newspaper wrote.

With the US government considering taking a 10 per cent stake in Intel by converting a portion or all its funding from the US CHIPS and Science Act, TSMC executives held discussions about returning their subsidies if the administration seeks to take an equity stake.

Sources told the WSJ TSMC has never relied heavily on US financial support.

The company is receiving $11.6 billion in grants and loans under the US CHIPS and Science Act to build a third production facility.

Its first Arizona facility began manufacturing 4nm chips in early 2025, with a second plant expected to produce 2nm chips by 2028.

The US government in February started reviewing the funding under the US CHIPS and Science Act, since certain conditions aren’t aligned with President Donald Trump’s policies.

The act provides financial incentives, such as advanced manufacturing tax credit, grants and loans, to encourage chip companies to expand their fabrication facilities in the US.

Samsung, SK Hynix and GlobalWafer also receive US funding.