The Trump administration has requested TSMC’s help in rescuing Intel’s semiconductor factories, according to reports from reputable sources such as Reuters and SCMP. If this information is accurate, it would mark a turning point. Without U.S. government support, the feasibility of this strategy would be minimal, but its backing suggests that the proposal should be taken seriously.
According to these sources, TSMC is preparing an offer to present to both Intel and the U.S. administration to take control of Intel’s chip manufacturing plants. However, the Taiwanese company does not want to take on this challenge alone. It seeks to partner with other companies interested in managing Intel’s factories.
Reuters reports that TSMC is in talks with NVIDIA, AMD, Broadcom, and Qualcomm to form a joint venture to oversee these plants. Under this arrangement, TSMC would not hold more than a 50% stake. There is no official confirmation of these negotiations yet, but given the current situation, the plan seems plausible. However, without Trump’s approval, the initiative is unlikely to move forward.
Ben Sell, Intel’s vice president of technology development, announced in September that the 18A node is ready for mass production in 2025 after receiving resources reallocated from the 20A node. In the current scenario, the 18A node is seen as key to Intel’s recovery. In fact, the company has confirmed it will receive up to $3 billion through the Chips and Science Act to ensure a secure semiconductor production process for the U.S. government.
The plan, called “Secure Enclave,” requires chips to be manufactured under strict confidentiality, and all signs point to them being produced using 18A technology. This advancement represents Intel’s best chance to regain its competitiveness. Within the company, some executives are urging patience and betting on this node as the key to Intel’s resurgence.
Joseph Bonetti, Intel’s senior engineering program manager, made his stance clear: “Intel leaders, board members, and the Trump administration, please do not sell or relinquish control of Intel Foundry to TSMC just as Intel is taking the technological lead. It would be a terrible and demoralizing mistake.” Bonetti also argues that Intel is not lagging behind its competitors and that the company’s engineering progress in chip production is significant.
In this context, 18A technology is Intel’s best bet, but it’s also important to note that the company has spent over a year working with its new extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and high-numerical-aperture lithography equipment from ASML at its Hillsboro (U.S.) plant. The first tests of this technology were likely conducted in late 2024, and preliminary trials for fabricating chips on the 14A node are expected to begin in 2025.
Intel’s future hinges on these advancements. We will continue to monitor developments closely.
