A timeline of the US semiconductor market in 2025

The U.S. semiconductor industry experienced significant developments throughout 2025, marked by leadership changes, government interventions, and shifting international trade dynamics. Nvidia emerged as a dominant player, reporting record revenues driven largely by its data center business, and securing a non-exclusive licensing deal with chip maker Groq, including hiring Groq’s founder and acquiring $20 billion in assets. Despite challenges, Nvidia also navigated complex regulatory environments, including a reversal by the U.S. Department of Commerce allowing it and AMD to export advanced AI chips to China, although China imposed restrictions on domestic companies purchasing Nvidia chips and ruled that Nvidia violated antitrust laws related to a past acquisition. Intel made notable strides with the announcement of its Panther Lake processor, built on its advanced 18A semiconductor process and produced exclusively at its Arizona fab. The company also underwent leadership changes shortly after the U.S. government took an equity stake in Intel’s foundry program, a move aimed at securing domestic chip production amid tariff rumors and geopolitical tensions.