Bloomberg Tech Trump Wants Big Tech to Pay for Power
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Jan 16, 2026 
Andrew Ferguson, Chairman of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, shares insights on acquihires and the FTC's increasing scrutiny of large AI mergers. He emphasizes consumer protection and discusses potential regulations tied to AI advancements. Natasha Mascarenas, a Bloomberg venture capital reporter, dives into Replit's incredible $9 billion valuation and its appeal to investors focusing on non-developers. They also explore the implications of rising energy costs from AI data centers as the Trump administration pushes for tech companies to bear financial responsibility.
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Taiwan Deal To Boost U.S. Chip Investment
- The US–Taiwan deal lowers tariffs and anchors massive semiconductor co-investment, likely from TSMC.
- Sources say TSMC may add four more plants in Arizona, implying up to $100 billion more U.S. chip investment.
Replit's Rapid Valuation Leap
- Replit is raising again and could reach a $9 billion valuation in a $400 million round led by Georgian.
- The round signals investors doubling down on AI coding platforms and back-marking existing winners.
Sell Coding To Nondevelopers
- Target non-developers to expand coding product adoption and speed prototyping inside companies.
- Investors favor platforms that let nontechnical staff ship apps without heavy engineering involvement.