Taiwan's TSMC to open semiconductor design centre in Munich
The economy minister in the southern German state of Bavaria, Hubert Aiwanger, said on Tuesday that the facility is to open in the third quarter of the year.
It will aim to develop chips for the automotive industry and other sectors, he said.
TSMC is a leader in semiconductor technology, specializing in building thin, efficient and energy-saving chips.
The Taiwanese firm is currently building a factory near the eastern German city of Dresden with several partner companies.
Aiwanger said the establishment of the design centre in Munich strengthens Bavaria's position in microelectronics.
Munich is home to chip manufacturer Infineon, while Apple chose the city as the location for its European chip design centre in 2021.
Neither the ministry nor TSMC have disclosed how much money the company is investing in Munich, or how many people will work in the new facility.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
New tariffs could raise prices of Ozempic, Wegovy
(NEXSTAR) – A trade deal between the U.S. and the European Union is expected to impose a 15% tax on pretty much all goods imported from Europe, from fancy French wines to sleek German cars and in-demand pharmaceuticals. Some of the most recognizable brand names that could be impacted include Ozempic and Wegovy, two injectable drugs that have grown popular in recent years for their abilities to treat diabetes and promote weight loss. Both are made by Novo Nordisk, a Danish company. But the European drugs are extremely popular here in the U.S. Wegovy – the version of the drug that's FDA-approved to treat obesity – has about 200,000 weekly prescriptions in the U.S., according to Novo Nordisk. Even before the new tariffs, many people have found the medications to be prohibitively expensive. Without insurance, they cost about $500 a month. What is the Presidential Fitness Test? It's usually cheaper for those who can get the drug covered by their health plan. Novo says of its patients who have coverage in the U.S., 85% pay $25 or less per month. After the tariffs take effect, the prices of importing these medications into the U.S. will go up, but who will pay that tax isn't straightforward. Rena Conti, an associate professor at Boston University's Questrom School of Business, told NBC News that drug companies could just raise their price list right away to offset the higher cost. Those without insurance might notice the sticker price change, but those with coverage could end up paying more in higher premiums. 'The big picture is: The cost of imported drugs is about to become more expensive for all Americans,' Joe Brusuelas, principal and chief economist for RSM US, said in an interview with Axios. Other name-brand drugs like Botox, Viagra and Keytruda (a cancer medication) are also manufactured in Europe and impacted by the tariffs. Some drug generics were supposed to be carved out of the deal, but details were still pending as of Thursday. When asked how Ozempic and Wegovy would be impacted by the new 15% tariff, a Novo Nordisk spokesperson told Nexstar the company 'remains focused on improving patient access and affordability, and we will continue to work to find solutions that help people access the medication they need.'

Epoch Times
an hour ago
- Epoch Times
As Aug. 1 Tariff Deadline Nears, Here Are the Trade Deals Signed So Far
The U.S. has reached deals with EU, UK, South Korea, Japan, and others, while countries that haven't struck deals will be hit with higher tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump holds up a chart of global tariffs while speaking during a 'Make America Wealthy Again' trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington on April 2, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump holds up a chart of global tariffs while speaking during a 'Make America Wealthy Again' trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington on April 2, clock is ticking toward the Aug. 1 deadline. President Donald Trump is set to impose sweeping reciprocal tariffs on U.S. trading partners unless they can finalize bilateral trade agreements before midnight. While White House officials have called it a hard deadline, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said 'it's not the end of the world,' as countries can still negotiate trade deals. Story continues below advertisement 'I would think that it's not the end of the world if these snapback tariffs are on for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks,' Bessent told CNBC on July 29. 'As long as the countries are moving forward and trying to negotiate in good faith.' European Union The United States is set to Here is a look at the state of the trade United States is set to finalize a trade agreement with the European Union after Trump met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland on July 27. Most European goods entering the United States will face a 15 percent levy, and the rate would not be added to existing tariff regimes. Tariffs on European automobile exports will be lowered to 15 percent from 27.5 percent. Both sides of the Atlantic will also establish zero-for-zero tariffs on various products, including aircraft and their components, semiconductor-making equipment, certain chemicals and pharmaceuticals, as well as natural resources and critical minerals. Several agricultural goods will also be exempt from tariffs, excluding sensitive items like beef, ethanol, poultry, rice, and sugar. Story continues below advertisement A 50 percent tariff will be applied to European steel shipments, but representatives in Brussels and Washington are working on a quota system, according to von der Leyen. 'We will work together to ensure fair global competition. And to reduce barriers between us, tariffs will be cut. And a quota system will be put in place,' she told reporters. The 27-member bloc has committed to investing $600 billion in the U.S. economy and purchasing $750 billion of U.S. energy by 2028. The EU will also purchase hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of U.S. military equipment. The U.S.-EU deal still requires approval from European lawmakers, but it averts the worst-case scenarios, experts say. Story continues below advertisement President Donald Trump meets with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at Trump Turnberry golf club in Scotland, on July 27, The White House announced on July 22 that the United States and Japan The White House announced on July 22 that the United States and Japan reached a trade deal Japanese goods shipped to the United States will be subject to a 15 percent reciprocal tariff rate. This will also apply to cars and auto parts. Without the agreement, one of the world's largest automakers would have faced a 25 percent levy. As part of a reciprocal tariff blueprint, U.S. goods entering the world's fourth-largest economy would be tariffed at 15 percent. Story continues below advertisement Tokyo will also invest $550 billion in the U.S. economy, with the United States receiving 90 percent of the profits from those investments. Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's chief negotiator, clarified the provisions, noting that a bulk of the funds will be structured as loans and loan guarantees, and the country will earn interest and fees. 'It's not that $550 billion in cash will be sent to the U.S. Japan's loss will be at most a couple of tens of billions of yen. For the loan guarantees, Japan's just making money,' he said. South Korea According to Trump, South Korea was able to In addition, Japan will bolster its rice imports by 75 percent and increase purchases of corn, ethanol, soybeans, and sustainable aviation to Trump, South Korea was able to lower its tariff rate Story continues below advertisement Products shipped from South Korea into the United States will be subject to a 15 percent levy, down from the 25 percent Trump threatened to impose. Similar to Japan, cars coming from South Korea would face a 15 percent tariff. U.S. exports to South Korea, meanwhile, would enjoy zero percent tariffs. Like other trade deals to date, Seoul pledged to invest $350 billion in the U.S. economy, which has been described as a strategically structured investment. The country will also purchase $100 billion in American liquefied natural gas, crude oil, and coal. 'We've overcome a major hurdle,' South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung said on Facebook. 'This agreement aligns U.S. manufacturing goals with our companies' competitiveness in the U.S. market.' Southeast Asia The current administration completed bilateral trade agreements with Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Story continues below advertisement Indonesia agreed to open its market and will lower its tariffs to zero percent on 99 percent of U.S. goods and abolish non-monetary trade barriers. Indonesian products exported to the United States will be hit with a reciprocal tariff rate of 19 percent. Transshipped goods from Indonesia containing high levels of content from third-party countries that are subject to higher U.S. tariff rates would be subject to a 40 percent tariff rate. The Philippines agreed to reduce import taxes on U.S. goods to zero percent. Conversely, exports from the Philippines will have a 19 percent tariff. United Kingdom The UK was the first country to Vietnamese shipments will face a 20 percent tariff, while Vietnam will allow tariff-free access for U.S. exports. Like the Philippines, Vietnam will face a 40 percent tariff on transshipped UK was the first country to establish a trade deal with the United States following the president's April 2 global tariff announcement. Announced on May 8 and finalized at the G7 summit in Canada in June, the reciprocal trade framework features expanded UK market access for U.S. automobiles and agriculture. Story continues below advertisement The deal also features a 10 percent tariff on the first 100,000 British vehicles exported to the United States. British steel and aluminum would continue to be subjected to a 25 percent rate, lower than the global rate of 50 percent. The agreement includes tariff exemptions for UK jet engines and parts, as well as enhanced cooperation on issues like digital trade and intellectual property. The UK could also be the winner in the U.S.-EU agreement. This is because UK goods entering the United States will face a baseline 10 percent tariff compared to the EU's 15 percent. Copper Tariffs Following a Section 232 national security investigation ordered by the president, the United States will implement a universal 50 percent tariff on copper imports 'Copper is being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States,' Trump said in his July 30 proclamation. Story continues below advertisement Sections of copper tubing are pictured at Cancoil, manufacturer of commercial refrigeration products, during a press conference in Kingston, Ont., April 3, 2025. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick After the president floated tariffs on the industrial metal and suggested restrictions in early July, the final decision will contain various exclusions, including copper scrap, copper concentrates, mattes, cathodes, and anodes. The levies would essentially only apply to pipes, tubes, and semi-finished copper products. Copper prices tanked as Trump's tariffs will only be applied to refined copper. The red metal crashed 21 percent during the July 31 session, bringing its monthly loss to 14 percent. Mexico Ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline, Trump The president could introduce additional tariffs and punitive measures. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has been tasked with monitoring the U.S. copper industry and providing a report by June 2026. Trump could then impose a 15 percent import duty on refined copper, beginning in 2027, and a 30 percent duty starting in of the Aug. 1 deadline, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had given Mexico a 90-day extension. Story continues below advertisement Following a call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Trump agreed not to raise U.S. tariffs on Mexican products for 90 days to allow for further negotiations. The president had said he would raise the blanket tariff rate on the southern neighbor to 30 percent from the current level of 25 percent. Meanwhile, Mexico will still be subject to a 50 percent tariff on aluminum, copper, and steel, as well as a 25 percent levy on automobiles. 'More and more, we are getting to know and understand each other,' Trump said on Truth Social. 'The complexities of a deal with Mexico are somewhat different than other nations because of both the problems and assets of the border.' Story continues below advertisement Sheinbaum, joined by key cabinet members, confirmed the call. India In a July 30 Truth Social post, Trump stated that India would be subject to a 'We avoided the tariff increase announced for tomorrow and secured 90 days to build a long-term agreement through dialogue,' she said on a July 30 Truth Social post, Trump stated that India would be subject to a 25 percent tariff on goods , plus an additional levy due to its purchases of Russian crude oil. India will also face separate higher duties on car parts, steel, and aluminum. 'India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high,' the president said on Truth Social. Story continues below advertisement 'They have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country.' The decision marks one of the most aggressive tariff actions taken by the president against a substantial U.S. trading partner. The United States is one of India's largest markets, with exports exceeding $87 billion in goods last year. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, appearing on CNBC's 'Squawk Box' on July 31, said India has been 'slow-rolling' trade discussions. Story continues below advertisement 'India came to the table early. They've been slow-rolling things. So I think that the president, the whole trade team has been frustrated with them,' Bessent said. U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Feb. 13, 2025. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images Canada In a July 11 Pointing to India buying sanctioned Russian oil and reselling it as refined petroleum products, Bessent said the country has 'not been a great global actor.'In a July 11 letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump announced that he will increase tariffs on Canadian imports, citing the country's retaliatory efforts. 'Instead of working with the United States, Canada retaliated with its own tariffs,' Trump said in a letter. Story continues below advertisement Canada now faces 35 percent tariffs on various goods—this is in addition to sector-specific levies—and the Trump administration has warned that the country could face higher levies in the event of retaliation. 'Goods transshipped to evade this higher tariff will be subject to that higher tariff,' the president wrote. The United States and Canada have engaged in back-and-forth trade rhetoric, and it remains unclear whether the North American neighbors are inching closer to an agreement. Trump, appearing outside the White House on July 25 before departing for Scotland, said U.S. trade representatives have not 'had a lot of luck with Canada.' 'I think Canada could be one where there's just a tariff, not really a negotiation,' he said. Story continues below advertisement Speaking at a July 28 news conference, Carney said that U.S.-Canada negotiations are at an 'intense phase.' 'It's a complex negotiation,' the prime minister stated. Canadian officials have downplayed the odds of reaching a trade deal before the deadline. Carney later acknowledged that U.S.-Canada talks will likely extend beyond Aug. 1. Reuters contributed to this report.

Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
KLA forecasts first-quarter revenue above estimates, but flags China weakness
(Reuters) -KLA Corp forecast first-quarter revenue above Wall Street estimates on Thursday, expecting booming demand for AI processors to drive sales of its chipmaking equipment. New orders for chipmaking equipment are expected to benefit from strong demand for advanced processors capable of supporting artificial intelligence technology. "These results reflect the unique and compelling opportunity within semiconductor capital equipment for KLA's continued role in enabling and supporting the AI infrastructure buildout," CEO Rick Wallace said in a statement. KLA forecast revenue to be $3.15 billion, plus or minus $150 million for the first quarter ending in September, compared with analysts' average estimate of $3.05 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. Chip industry bellwether and KLA customer TSMC is expanding U.S. production, aligning with efforts by President Donald Trump to onshore chip supply chains, potentially boosting demand for KLA's equipment. TSMC contributed more than 10% of KLA's total revenue in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. In the June quarter, demand for leading-edge logic, high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and advanced packaging were key contributors to sales, the company said. These refer to complex manufacturing processes employed in the production of AI chips and advanced memory chips used in AI applications. For 2025, the company said it is maintaining its original forecast for mid-single-digit growth in the wafer-fab-equipment market. The company reported fourth-quarter revenue of $3.18 billion, beating estimates of $3.08 billion. Adjusted profit for the quarter ended June 30, at $9.38 per share, also beat estimates. CHINA WEAKNESS EXPECTED KLA expects lower overall demand from China this year, the company said in a letter to shareholders. Shares of the Milpitas, California-based company fell about 1% in extended trading. China, an essential market for semiconductor firms, was KLA's largest revenue driver in the June quarter, accounting for 30% of total sales. However, Sino-U.S. trade tensions and export restrictions pose risks to American chip firms' ability to serve the market.