Key Takeaways
- Samsung Foundry is in advanced talks with Meta Platforms (META) for a $6.54 billion (10 trillion won) contract to mass-produce third-generation MTIA AI chips using a 2-nanometer process.
- Anthropic is reportedly exploring a strategic partnership with Samsung for custom 2nm AI silicon, aiming to reduce its reliance on Nvidia (NVDA) and Google (GOOGL) hardware.
- Alibaba (BABA) has announced an internal ban on Anthropic’s Claude Code starting July 10, citing alleged security backdoors and "high-risk" software concerns.
- Japan’s largest labor union, Rengo, confirmed a final average wage hike of 5.01% for 2026, marking the third consecutive year of increases above the 5% threshold.
- Iran has signaled a deepening strategic alliance with China, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warning against U.S. "interference" in the Strait of Hormuz.
Samsung Emerges as Key AI Foundry Rival to TSMC
Samsung Electronics (SSNLF) is positioning its foundry business as a primary alternative to TSMC (TSM) for global Big Tech firms seeking custom AI application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The South Korean giant is reportedly negotiating a massive $6.54 billion deal with Meta Platforms (META) to produce the third generation of the Meta Training and Inference Accelerator (MTIA). This shift is significant as Meta’s previous two generations of MTIA chips were manufactured by TSMC; the move to Samsung’s 2-nanometer (nm) process highlights growing confidence in Samsung’s next-generation fabrication capabilities.
In addition to the Meta negotiations, Anthropic—the AI startup valued at nearly $100 billion—is in early-stage talks with Samsung to develop its own custom AI chips. This partnership follows Samsung’s participation in Anthropic’s $65 billion Series H funding round in May 2026. Industry analysts estimate that Samsung’s medium-to-long-term order backlog could approach 50 trillion won, potentially returning its foundry division to profitability as early as the fourth quarter of this year.
Alibaba Bans Claude Code Amid Security Allegations
Alibaba (BABA) is set to prohibit the use of Anthropic’s Claude Code within its workplace environments effective July 10, 2026. The decision follows reports of alleged "backdoors" in the coding assistant that could potentially leak sensitive data or allow unauthorized remote access. While Anthropic has characterized some of these features as experiments to prevent unauthorized use, the Chinese e-commerce giant has classified the tool as "high-risk" and is recommending its own Qoder as an internal alternative.
This restriction comes at a time of heightened tension between the two companies. Anthropic recently accused entities linked to Alibaba’s Qwen lab of conducting a massive "distillation campaign" to clone its models. The ban also mirrors recent moves by financial institutions like JPMorgan (JPM) and Goldman Sachs (GS), which limited Claude access in certain regions due to licensing and compliance concerns.
Japan Sustains Wage Momentum; Iran Firms China Ties
On the macroeconomic front, Japan’s labor market continues to show strength as Rengo reported a final average wage increase of 5.01% for 2026. Although slightly lower than last year’s 5.25%, the result marks a sustained period of aggressive pay hikes aimed at fueling a "virtuous cycle" of growth and inflation. However, real wages have struggled to keep pace with rising costs, falling for the fourth consecutive year when adjusted for inflation.
Geopolitically, Iran is strengthening its "principal strategic partnership" with China. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf met with Chinese officials in Tehran to coordinate economic strategies and maritime security. Ghalibaf emphasized that Iran would not tolerate U.S. interference in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor where Iran has recently implemented new "management protocols" that favor Chinese vessel transits while restricting U.S. and Israeli-linked shipping.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.