chips act: us government eyes samsung stake

2025-09-05 general

Washington, Friday, 5 September 2025.
the us government is considering acquiring shares in samsung and other semiconductor companies that accept chips act subsidies. this move could grant the us government significant influence over samsung’s operations and strategic decisions. the south korean government is closely monitoring the situation. industry insiders are calling the potential acquisition ‘absurd’. the us government could acquire a 1.56% stake in samsung. this situation is developing ahead of the us-south korea summit later this month.

Government influence and market reaction

The potential acquisition of shares in semiconductor companies by the U.S. government is generating considerable debate [1]. An analyst noted that acquiring shares would give the government significant influence over Samsung’s operations [7]. This influence could affect Samsung’s strategic decisions, potentially impacting its stock performance [1]. The market is closely watching these developments, as government intervention could introduce uncertainty and affect investor confidence [GPT].

South korean response and summit implications

The South Korean government is closely monitoring the situation, with a presidential spokesperson denying initial reports that chip subsidies were conditional on equity transfer [1]. However, the possibility remains a concern, particularly ahead of the U.S.-South Korea summit [1]. Discussions regarding military strategic flexibility and atomic energy agreements are also anticipated during the summit, adding complexity to the semiconductor issue [1]. These geopolitical factors could further influence investor sentiment towards Samsung [GPT].

Chips act and industry expansion

The CHIPS Act, designed to bolster domestic semiconductor manufacturing, has spurred significant investment in the U.S. [7]. Amkor Technology is constructing a $2 billion semiconductor packaging facility in Peoria, Arizona, responding to the CHIPS Act [2]. This factory will focus on advanced packaging and testing technologies [2]. Texas A&M University is partnering with Arm to strengthen the semiconductor workforce, further amplifying the CHIPS Act’s impact [8]. Such initiatives aim to reduce reliance on foreign chipmakers and enhance U.S. competitiveness [GPT].

Tsms’s strong market position

Despite these developments, TSMC maintains a robust market position. TSMC’s revenue reached $30.24 billion in the second quarter of 2025, marking an 18.5% increase compared to the previous quarter [7]. TSMC’s market share stands at 70.2% [7]. Furthermore, TSMC plans to increase prices for high-end chip processes by 5% to 10%, including its 5 nm, 4 nm, 3 nm, and 2 nm processes [7]. Nvidia’s CEO, Huang Renxun, praised TSMC as one of the greatest companies in history [6].

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chips act government acquisition