Saxony and the U.S. state of Arizona intend to further expand their ties in the semiconductor industry, according to an announcement from Saxony Trade & Invest Corp. (WFS) made on Oct. 19, 2026.

Expanded Partnership Announced in Dresden

Saxony Trade & Invest Corp. and the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) used SEMICON West, the leading US trade fair for the semiconductor industry, which took place in San Francisco from 13 to 15 October 2026, to foster closer links between companies and institutions from both semiconductor regions and to explore further opportunities for cooperation.

The announcement was issued from Dresden, Germany, underscoring the role of the Silicon Saxony region as a central pillar of European chip production.

Leadership Perspectives on the Growing Alliance

Thomas Horn, CEO of Saxony Trade & Invest, emphasized the complementary strengths of the two regions. "Arizona and Saxony are among the world's leading microelectronics hubs, where very large new semiconductor production capacities are currently being established. This means that it is not just chip manufacturing that is growing on both sides. Suppliers, research, skilled workers, and infrastructure must also keep pace. This is precisely where we see a concrete benefit of closer cooperation. Companies in Saxony gain better access to one of the most important semiconductor markets in the US, whilst at the same time we can offer companies from Arizona direct access to Europe's largest microelectronics hub. We are delighted that we have been able to further expand our cooperation with our partners in Arizona, thereby building on the discussions held during the Silicon Saxony Days in June."

On the American side, Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, welcomed the deepening relationship.

"Both Arizona and Saxony have emerged as global leaders in semiconductor manufacturing, innovation, and investment. As our ecosystems continue to grow, there is tremendous value in building stronger connections between companies, research institutions, and talent pipelines on both sides of the Atlantic. We are grateful to our partners from Saxony and look forward to advancing the future of semiconductor leadership together."

Kick-off at the Transatlantic Executive Dinner

The event kicked off on the eve of the trade fair with a Transatlantic Executive Dinner. This event brings together executives from the semiconductor industry, as well as representatives from business, research, and institutions in both regions, in an informal setting. The focus was on discussing developments at the two locations, as well as specific areas of collaboration between companies and partners from Saxony and Arizona.

Arizona's Investment Momentum

Arizona is a region in the US with a particularly high concentration of semiconductor manufacturing and a significant expansion of production capacity. Since 2020, Arizona has attracted more than 70 expansion and new-site projects in the semiconductor industry, representing an investment volume of over 314 billion US dollars. These investments span the entire value chain, from semiconductor manufacturing through to equipment and materials, right up to advanced packaging and research.

Arizona's standing in the industry is set to grow further: from 2027, Phoenix will become the permanent host city for the SEMICON West trade fair, cementing the state's position at the center of the US semiconductor conversation.

Building on Previous Engagements

The renewed push for cooperation builds on discussions held during the Silicon Saxony Days in June, according to Horn. The SEMICON West activities in San Francisco represent a continuation of the transatlantic dialogue between the two regions, with both the Saxony Trade & Invest Corp. and the Arizona Commerce Authority signaling their intent to advance the partnership further.

With both regions undergoing significant capacity expansion, Arizona, with more than 70 projects and over USD 314 billion in investment since 2020, and Saxony, with multibillion-euro commitments from Infineon, GlobalFoundries, and the ESMC joint venture, the collaboration aims to ensure that suppliers, research, skilled workers, and infrastructure on both sides keep pace with the growth in chip manufacturing.

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