Donald Trump, President of the United States, has repeatedly signaled potential tariff increases on semiconductors and possible adjustments to the CHIPS Act subsidies, intensifying pressure on South Korean-based technology corporations such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to ramp up their US investments.

The Trump administration has reportedly urged TSMC to partner with Intel and expedite its investments in the US. Sources suggest that TSMC is weighing a controlling stake in Intel’s factories, a move experts warn could be more harmful than beneficial. Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs J.W. Kuo stated that all foreign investments require approval, adding that no applications related to this proposal have been submitted thus far.

The Taipei International Machine Tool Show (TIMTOS) is set to highlight “AI and robots” as a core theme for the first time, reflecting the rising industry focus on automation. The aerospace defense market, driven by demand for drones and autonomous systems, is also fueling optimism that these sectors could reinvigorate Taiwan’s machine tool industry after years of stagnation.

Google, once a trailblazer in artificial intelligence (AI) and cutting-edge technologies, now faces heightened competition from startups like OpenAI, xAI, and China’s DeepSeek, prompting questions about its continued dominance in the AI landscape. Although Google’s Gemini model remains a top performer, industry insiders note that the company has struggled to generate the same level of excitement and momentum around its AI innovations as it once did.