TSMC reports 60% profit surge amid tariff uncertainties

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s largest contract chipmaker and a key supplier to tech giants like Nvidia and Apple, reported a first-quarter net profit surge of over 60%, significantly surpassing analyst expectations. The strong earnings were fueled by booming demand for chips powering artificial intelligence and by customers stockpiling advanced semiconductors in anticipation of possible US tariffs. Revenue for the quarter also jumped by more than 40%. However, despite these results, TSMC’s outlook is clouded by uncertainty over potential new US tariffs and ongoing trade tensions, including a possible crackdown on AI chip sales to China. Analysts warn that future quarters could be impacted as the US moves forward with national security probes and considers imposing levies on semiconductors and related equipment.