Taiwanese chip producer might want to set up shop in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN — The territorial relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States, as well as a new allocation of federal funds, appear to have motivated a semiconductor production company in Taiwan to want to establish its operations on the island , reported Manuel Cidre, secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) .

DDEC Secretary Manuel Cidre confirmed that talks are underway to turn the island into a semiconductor packaging and distribution center. “This potential collaboration would take advantage of the relationship with the United States to turn Puerto Rico into a packaging and distribution hub for the region,” Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi said today. “We continue to demonstrate that Puerto Rico is competitive to continue attracting investments and new jobs that drive our economic development.”

In June, Taiwanese contract chipmaker TSMC, whose major clients include Nvidia and Apple, said it had held talks with some customers about moving its chip plants off the island as tensions mounted with China but such a move would be impossible.