Phoenix: U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on a financial talk show that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) might invest US$300 billion in Arizona, a figure that is almost double the company's previously announced U.S. investments.

According to Focus Taiwan, TSMC has not confirmed Trump's statements, instead indicating that any official announcements would come through their company communications. Following Trump's remarks, TSMC's American depositary receipts fell by 2.73 percent, closing at US$232.47, and its shares on the Taiwan Stock Exchange dropped by NT$25 to NT$1,125, a decrease of 2.17 percent.

The comments from Trump have garnered attention in Taiwan due to the tariffs it faces from the U.S. Unlike Japan and South Korea, which face 15 percent tariffs, Taiwan's imports are subject to a 20 percent tariff. Speculation has arisen that Taiwan might need to pledge significant U.S. investments to reduce these tariffs, with Economic Affairs Minister Kuo Jyh-huei suggesting a potential figure of US$400 billion.

In March, TSMC had announced plans to increase its U.S. investment to US$165 billion for AI development, adding US$100 billion to its initial US$65 billion plan. This investment was aimed at building multiple facilities, including fabs and a research center. The company projected this would generate over US$200 billion in economic output in the U.S. over the next decade.

However, TSMC expressed concerns in a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce in May, warning that new import restrictions could undermine the U.S.'s leadership in technology and affect semiconductor projects, including TSMC's Arizona investment.

During a July investor briefing, TSMC Chairman and CEO C.C. Wei highlighted the completion of the second Arizona fab, which will use 3 nanometer technology. He stated that TSMC's Arizona site is expanding into an advanced manufacturing base, with the U.S. expected to produce about 30 percent of TSMC's future 2 nm and more advanced technologies.