Regarding the U.S. extension of the exemption period for TSMC's chip equipment, allowing it to continue supplying mainland factories, Taiwan's chip manufacturing giant TSMC responded on Friday that the company expected to obtain a license from the United States to supply American chip manufacturing equipment to its mainland factories indefinitely.The move signals that the United States is easing restrictions on chip manufacturers operating in the mainland.
Economic Minister Wang Meihua said earlier on Friday that the United States has extended the exemption period for TSMC's chip equipment and that the company can continue to supply U.S. chip equipment to mainland factories, but did not specify how long the exemption period has been extended.
TSMC said in a statement today that the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has recommended that TSMC apply for the "Verified End User" (VEU) certification program, which would allow the chipmaker to supply chip equipment without separate U.S. approval. Previously, South Korean chip manufacturers Samsung and SK Hynix were designated by the United States as "verified end users" and can supply American chip equipment to their Chinese factories indefinitely.
"We expect to obtain permanent authorization through the VEU process." TSMC said.The company noted that they had not previously been required to apply for VEU status. TSMC also said in a separate statement that the company has received approval from the United States to continue operating the Nanjing factory while applying for VEU status.