TSMC denies it's talking to Intel about chip-making joint venture

Core Viewpoint - TSMC has denied any discussions regarding a joint venture with Intel, countering recent rumors about a potential collaboration [2][4]. Company Summary - TSMC's CEO C.C. Wei stated that the company is not engaged in any discussions with other firms about joint ventures or technology licensing [2]. - TSMC reported a profit beat for the first quarter, driven by a surge in demand for AI chips [5]. - The company faces potential challenges from U.S. tariffs targeting Taiwan and stricter export controls affecting clients like Nvidia and AMD [5]. Industry Context - Intel has been struggling in the semiconductor market, losing market share to competitors such as Nvidia, AMD, Qualcomm, and Apple [3]. - Intel experienced its worst performance as a public company last year, with shares dropping by 61% [3]. - The U.S. government, under President Trump, is investigating semiconductor imports, which may lead to new tariffs impacting the chip industry [4].