If Musk is set on moving chip production to the U.S., then the Samsung factory may hold other advantages over Taiwan Semi. Samsung is bringing its most advanced manufacturing to Texas, while Taiwan Semi’s factory in Arizona uses its previous generation, and that may mean Taiwan Semi’s technical advantage is erased in U.S. production.

Samsung Electronics said a trade deal between South Korea and Washington will help to alleviate business uncertainty, as the technology giant forecast more major chip orders after signing a $16.5 billion deal with Elon Musk's Tesla .