GlobalWafers Co., Taiwan’s largest silicon wafer manufacturer, warned shareholders of mounting uncertainties as the semiconductor industry grapples with potential US trade restrictions and currency volatility.
At Monday’s annual meeting, Chairwoman Doris Hsu acknowledged that the Trump administration’s Section 232 investigation into semiconductor imports could result in new tariffs, prompting customers to seek domestic US suppliers. The probe, initiated in April and expected to conclude within months, has created planning challenges for the industry.
Despite these headwinds, Hsu said market conditions are gradually improving after more than a year of sluggish demand. The company’s Japan facilities have achieved record monthly shipments for several consecutive months, driven by recovering silicon wafer demand.
GlobalWafers recently opened a $3.5 billion Texas facility and announced plans to expand the investment to $7.5 billion, positioning itself to serve US customers seeking local supply chains. However, Hsu outlined strict conditions for additional American expansion: existing facility utilization must reach adequate levels, the US operations must achieve profitability, and customers must commit to long-term contracts.
The company also expects its new 12-inch facility in Italy to begin contributing small revenues in the fourth quarter, targeting European clients prioritizing local sourcing and environmental standards.
GlobalWafers’ cautious optimism reflects broader industry dynamics as global silicon wafer shipments are projected to rebound 10% in 2025 following this year’s expected 2% decline.
