UMC (2303) held a conference call on March 23 for the first quarter of 2025, emphasizing that there is 'no merger case' with GlobalFoundries, but new collaborations may be explored. The company also revealed the latest developments of its 12nm manufacturing project in collaboration with Intel, with mass production expected to start in 2026 and revenue contributions anticipated from 2027. Regarding the upcoming semiconductor tariffs under the Trump administration, UMC stated it has prepared response strategies and emphasized 'transparent cooperation' with customers to fairly share the burden of any cost impacts.

CEO Liu Qidong denied the merger rumors and affirmed the company’s open stance towards exploring various cooperative options to enhance shareholder value. Additionally, UMC is noticing increased customer demand for backup capacity, particularly in Taiwan, Singapore, and Japan, amidst rising geopolitical challenges. In terms of market competition, UMC plans to focus on differentiating its 22/28nm process technologies to address price-driven market pressures.