U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is looking into the federal government taking equity stakes in computer chip manufacturers that receive CHIPS Act funding to build factories in the country, two sources said.

The back-to-back news items signal a public and private sector commitment to domestic semiconductor production and underscore Intel's importance.

Yet Intel still matters, as Mr Trump’s interest shows. The most advanced chips, vital for smartphones and AI, are now made almost entirely by TSMC. America’s tech giants depend on it. Such reliance on a single supplier—particularly one based in Taiwan—is risky.

Micron, TSMC, and more have also been awarded billions in subisidies The US government is considering taking a stake in Intel and other semiconductor companies that benefit from CHIPS Act funding, according to officials from the Trump administration.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the White House wouldn't try to flex its power with a stake in Intel.