May 9, 2026 · 03:52 Uhr
Apple and Intel have signed a preliminary agreement under which Intel will manufacture chips for Apple devices in the future – a historic break with TSMC's monopoly position. Intel stock surged to record highs; Elon Musk also confirmed a separate SpaceX/Tesla partnership with Intel's Oregon fab.
The U.S. government realized a paper gain of $56.5 billion USD on its Intel stake (acquired for ~$8.9 billion USD in August 2025) following the Apple deal – a 386% increase in nine months. The conflict of interest between state shareholder and industrial policy decisions (CHIPS Act, White House pressure) is widely discussed.
Shareholders of SkyWater Technology (the only purely U.S.-based semiconductor foundry) approved the acquisition by quantum computer company IonQ on May 8, 2026 by an overwhelming majority. The transaction combines classical semiconductor manufacturing with quantum hardware and positions IonQ as a vertically integrated player in the U.S. chip sovereignty strategy.
Sony and TSMC signed a non-binding MOU for a joint venture to develop and manufacture next-generation image sensors in Kumamoto, Japan. Sony holds the majority stake; the combination of sensor design expertise and TSMC's process technology targets AI camera and automotive markets.
NEW DEVELOPMENT: The close of the previously announced deal has now been officially confirmed for Q2 2026 – the German Federal Cartel Office is expected to decide still in the current quarter. Approximately 230 employees transfer to Infineon; ams-OSRAM thereby halves its interest costs and sharpens focus on digital photonics and AI photonics.
NEW DEVELOPMENT: A concrete legislative proposal that permits the EU Commission for the first time to make direct capital investments in cross-border fab projects is expected by end of May 2026. However, analysts warn that Europe's chip ambitions are losing momentum, as previous support structures have proven too slow and bureaucratic.
The semiconductor industry is experiencing a tectonic shift in power: Apple's preliminary agreement with Intel – backed by the Trump administration's state Intel stake now showing a $56.5 billion USD paper gain – signals that geopolitical pressure is actively being used to reshape global supply chains and TSMC is for the first time seriously challenged as sole supplier. In parallel, consolidation is intensifying: IonQ/SkyWater, Infineon/ams-OSRAM, and the Sony/TSMC joint venture show that companies are vertically integrating and securing strategic niches before capacity becomes even scarcer through the 2nm ramp-up phase. Europe remains structurally behind – the revised Chips Act 2.0 comes late, and analysts doubt whether direct Commission investments can compensate for bureaucratic delays. The greatest escalation risk lies in the U.S.-China tension: China's 70% localization pressure and U.S. export controls are driving both sides toward accelerated technological decoupling, which could lead in the medium term to two parallel global chip ecosystems.
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