GeopoliticalGeotechnologyCover and at a glance30 Sep 2026
Where does TSMC's geopolitical exposure sit: in its China sales or on one island?
“Mainly a Taiwan continuity exposure, not a China-demand one: Taiwan-only nodes earned 33 per cent of second-quarter 2026 wafer revenue, China-based customers 6 per cent, until leading-edge volume starts elsewhere.”
The brief’s reading of the evidence; not a registered forecast.Primary Taiwan, Province of China Affected China
GeoeconomicGeopolitical05. China-based customers are a small and falling share of revenue30 Sep 2026
Is TSMC's geopolitical exposure mainly its China sales?
“No. China-based customers were 6% of 2Q26 revenue, down from 12% in 2023.”
The brief’s reading of the evidence; not a registered forecast.Primary Taiwan, Province of China Affected China
Geotechnology02. Every fab producing 3nm or 2nm in volume is in Taiwan30 Sep 2026
Where are TSMC's newest nodes made?
“In Taiwan: Fab 18 (3nm) and Fabs 20 and 22 (2nm), on TSMC's table of 28 Feb 2026.”
The brief’s reading of the evidence; not a registered forecast.Primary Taiwan, Province of China Affected United States of America, Japan, China, Germany
GeotechnologyGeoeconomic03. Nodes of 7nm and below earned 77% of wafer revenue in 2Q2630 Sep 2026
How much revenue rides on those nodes?
“3nm and 2nm earned 33% of 2Q26 wafer revenue; 7nm and below, 77%.”
The brief’s reading of the evidence; not a registered forecast.Primary Taiwan, Province of China
Geoeconomic04. Two unnamed customers took 36% of 2025 net revenue30 Sep 2026
How concentrated are TSMC's customers?
“The two largest took 36% of 2025 net revenue; the ten largest, 78%.”
The brief’s reading of the evidence; not a registered forecast.Primary Taiwan, Province of China
GeoeconomicGeopolitical06. The overseas build-out costs TSMC 2 to 4 points of gross margin, on its own guidance30 Sep 2026
What does the overseas build-out cost, by TSMC's own guidance?
“2 to 3 points of gross margin early, 3 to 4 points later.”
The brief’s reading of the evidence; not a registered forecast.Primary Taiwan, Province of China Affected United States of America, Japan, Germany
GeopoliticalGeotechnology12. Eight signposts, each read from a public source30 Sep 2026
What would change this reading?
“3nm or 2nm volume production reported outside Taiwan, or China-based revenue back above a tenth.”
The brief’s reading of the evidence; not a registered forecast.Primary Taiwan, Province of China Affected China
Geopolitical08. The pathways differ mainly in what they do to the Taiwan concentration30 Sep 2026
How do the pathways differ for TSMC?
“The source edition translated a US–China outlook into three pathways for TSMC. None of them is scored here, and this edition does not rank them.”
The brief’s reading of the evidence; not a registered forecast.Primary Taiwan, Province of China Affected United States of America, China
Geopolitical09. A quarantine or blockade of Taiwan is treated as a separate tail30 Sep 2026
What would a quarantine or blockade of Taiwan expose?
“In that tail the exposed quantity is the leading-edge franchise, not a revenue slice: the nodes made only in Taiwan earned 33% of 2Q26 wafer revenue, and 7nm and below 77%.”
The brief’s reading of the evidence; not a registered forecast.Primary Taiwan, Province of China
GeotechnologyGeopolitical05. China-based customers are a small and falling share of revenue30 Sep 2026
What does the export-control record show for TSMC's China operations?
“TSMC's Nanjing fab (16nm) received US-origin items under a Validated End-User authorization until December 2025. TSMC reports that the U.S. Department of Commerce then granted TSMC Nanjing an annual export licence”
The brief’s reading of the evidence; not a registered forecast.Primary Taiwan, Province of China Affected United States of America, China
Geoeconomic10. The next dated TSMC disclosure falls on 15 October 202630 Sep 2026
When is the next dated TSMC disclosure?
“TSMC's third-quarter 2026 results were not yet published; its results conference is scheduled for 15 Oct 2026, with a quiet period from 5 to 14 Oct.”
The brief’s reading of the evidence; not a registered forecast.Primary Taiwan, Province of China