Texas Instruments (TI) has unveiled plans to invest more than $60 billion in expanding its U.S. semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, marking a significant development in the ongoing push for domestic chip production [1][2][3]. The Dallas-based company announced on Wednesday that it will build or expand seven chip-making facilities across Texas and Utah, in what it calls the "largest investment in foundational semiconductor manufacturing in U.S. history" [4][5].

The investment is expected to create approximately 60,000 jobs, although TI did not provide a specific timeline for the project [6][7]. Work is already underway on two facilities at the company's Sherman, Texas mega-site [5].

This move aligns with the Trump administration's efforts to increase domestic semiconductor production and reduce reliance on foreign manufacturers [4][8]. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick praised the investment, stating, "President Trump has made it a priority to increase semiconductor manufacturing in America. Our partnership with TI will support U.S. chip manufacturing for decades to come" [4].

TI's announcement follows similar commitments from other major players in the semiconductor industry. Last week, Micron Technology announced plans to increase its U.S. investment to $200 billion [4][9]. These investments are part of a broader trend of "onshoring" in the semiconductor industry, which began under the Biden administration and has continued under President Trump [6].

The push for domestic chip production comes as the demand for semiconductors continues to grow, driven in part by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. In a related development, Bill Gates-backed nuclear power startup TerraPower raised $650 million in a funding round that included NVentures, the venture capital arm of AI chip leader Nvidia [10][11]. This investment highlights the growing ties between the tech industry, which requires reliable and clean power for data centers and AI operations, and innovative energy companies [12].

TI's investment focuses on analog or foundational chips used in everyday devices such as smartphones, cars, and medical equipment [9]. The company's CEO, Haviv Ilan, emphasized the importance of this technology, stating, "Leading U.S. companies such as Apple, Ford, Medtronic, Nvidia and SpaceX rely on TI's world-class technology and manufacturing expertise" [6].

As the semiconductor industry continues to evolve, companies like Intel are also making strategic changes. The legacy chipmaker recently announced new leadership appointments aimed at becoming an "engineering-first company again" [19]. However, Intel is also facing challenges, with plans to lay off a significant portion of its foundry staff in July [19][20].

The developments in the U.S. semiconductor industry underscore its critical role in technological advancement and economic competitiveness. As companies like Texas Instruments make substantial investments in domestic production, the landscape of chip manufacturing in America is poised for significant transformation in the coming years.