The U.S. Commerce Department announced the finalization of $406 million in government grants to Taiwan’s GlobalWafers, aimed at significantly increasing the production of silicon wafers in the United States. This development, as reported by Reuters, marks a critical move in the Biden administration’s strategy to enhance the domestic semiconductor supply chain.

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The grants will support projects in Texas and Missouri, facilitating the first high-volume U.S. production of 300-mm wafers for advanced semiconductors and the expansion of silicon-on-insulator wafer production. GlobalWafers is set to invest nearly $4 billion in these states, creating 1,700 construction and 880 manufacturing jobs.

In terms of the semiconductor market, data from the IndexBox platform highlights the significant dynamics involved. The export value of semiconductor devices from the United States in 2023 stands at $1.2 billion, with leading export destinations including Thailand ($297.9 million), China ($166.1 million), and Costa Rica ($128.5 million). Meanwhile, the import value is pegged at $720.4 million, with Israel ($337.7 million) being a top import partner.

“We look forward to innovating with our U.S.-based chip customers for decades to come,” GlobalWafers CEO Doris Hsu commented, emphasizing the company’s commitment to the U.S. semiconductor sector. The move aligns with broader industry trends, where companies like Micron Technology and Intel have also received substantial government subsidies to bolster domestic semiconductor production.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform