TSMC challenges report US is investigating whether it made chips for Huawei

Possible export-controls violation benefiting mainland-based tech titan hit by American sanctions could lead to penalties

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People trying out Huawei smartphones in Shenzhen last month. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 4:10am, 23 Oct 2024Updated: 4:54am, 23 Oct 2024

The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TMSC) has come out against a report claiming the world’s biggest maker of advanced chips stands at the centre of a US investigation into a possible export-controls violation that may have helped mainland-based Huawei Technologies.

A TSMC statement sent to the Post on Tuesday said the Taipei-based manufacturing giant “is a law-abiding company and we are committed to complying with all applicable rules and regulations, including applicable export controls”.

The firm maintained “a robust and comprehensive export system for monitoring and ensuring compliance”, it added.

“If we have any reason to believe there are potential issues, we will take prompt action to ensure compliance, including conducting investigations and proactively communicating with relevant parties including customers and regulatory authorities as necessary,” the statement continued.

Silicon Valley-based tech publication The Information last week reported that the US Commerce Department was looking into whether TSMC had manufactured artificial intelligence or smartphone chips for Huawei, a mainland telecoms equipment maker.

The company logo for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company as displayed on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in Manhattan in September 2023. Photo: Reuters

Huawei last year stunned Washington by introducing a phone with a cutting-edge 7-nanometre chip despite US sanctions and export controls. The American government has sanctioned the Shenzhen-based company over espionage and surveillance fears.