On April 3, 2025, exciting news broke about a possible partnership between Intel and TSMC, a key supplier for Apple. According to The Information, the two companies have made a basic deal to work together and manage Intel’s chip-making plants. TSMC would own 20% of this new joint company, while Intel and other U.S. chip businesses would hold the bigger share.
As part of this plan, TSMC might share its know-how on building chips and even train Intel’s workers to use these methods. Talks are still going on, so the final setup isn’t set yet. Reports say the Trump administration pushed for this deal to help Intel recover and boost high-tech chip production in the U.S.
Intel and TSMC have been rivals for a long time. Intel once powered Apple’s Macs, but since 2020, Apple switched to its own chips, made by TSMC. TSMC focuses only on making chips, not designing them, which has helped it zoom past Intel. Intel’s chip-making side has struggled—its chips cost more, and it produces less than TSMC. Some Intel leaders worry this deal could mean job cuts, as they might need to sell off old equipment or let go of engineers.
Last year, Intel lost $18.8 billion, hit hard by a weak PC market and big spending on its factories. This partnership could be a lifeline, blending TSMC’s skills with Intel’s setup. While details are still fuzzy, it’s a big step that could shake up the chip world and affect companies like Apple, which rely on TSMC’s top-notch manufacturing. This move shows how the U.S. is working to strengthen its tech edge, and it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out!