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Oct 21
New US truck and bus tariffs set to reshape global supply chains and sourcing strategies
The Trump administration has enacted a dual trade policy under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, imposing tariffs on imported medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses while maintaining existing exemptions for automobiles. The tariffs aim to bolster domestic manufacturing competitiveness and reshape the US automotive supply chain.
In the Texas Instruments third-quarter 2025 earnings call held on October 21, President and CEO Haviv Ilan addressed investor questions regarding booking patterns and demand consistency. Ilan explained that bookings were more stable this quarter compared with the previous one, when trade and tariff tensions had temporarily dampened activity.
On October 21, Texas Instruments reported stronger revenue in the third quarter of 2025, posting growth across all major end markets despite a softer outlook for the coming quarter. Revenue climbed 7% from the previous quarter and 14% from a year earlier, reflecting solid demand for analog and embedded products.
Formosa Smart Energy Tech (FSET) has joined forces with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) to successfully develop lithium battery dry electrode technology, marking a major breakthrough in Taiwan's new energy materials and manufacturing sector. This achievement establishes a solid foundation for Taiwan's leadership in dry electrode innovation, with applications spanning energy storage and electric vehicle (EV) markets.
South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) has launched a Rare Earth Supply Chain Task Force to shield domestic industries from China's tightened export controls.
According to ZDNet Korea, Samsung Electronics' foundry division has secured an order from Hyundai Motor and will manufacture millions of 8nm automotive chips. Hyundai is actively preparing for production, with chip development expected to be completed by 2028 and mass production targeted for 2030.**
Tata Technologies has announced a strategic collaboration with Synopsys, a global leader in engineering solutions from silicon to systems, to accelerate the transition toward software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The partnership aims to combine Tata Technologies' vehicle engineering expertise with Synopsys' virtualization technologies to help automotive manufacturers address the growing complexity of next-generation mobility.
The world's three largest auto markets—Europe, the United States, and China—are simultaneously undergoing a wave of regulatory and geopolitical shifts that analysts warn could dampen global vehicle demand by 2026. Automakers and suppliers alike now face mounting pressure on three critical fronts: cost inflation, tightening compliance mandates, and intensifying global competition.
South Korean battery materials maker Posco Future M has signed its largest-ever supply agreement for natural graphite anode materials in a deal valued at KRW671 billion (US$472 million), marking a pivotal moment in the company's expansion beyond China-dependent supply chains.
China's technological advancement remains a central focus of global attention, with social media frequently showcasing local tech applications and innovations. Yet for many outside observers, the actual situation in China continues to fuel curiosity and skepticism, prompting many to wonder what lies beneath the polished surface.
China's electric vehicle (EV) market, once a symbol of the country's technological ascendancy, is now grappling with a harsh correction. Excess production capacity is pushing automakers into aggressive discounting and export strategies to offload growing inventories, creating price pressures not only domestically but across global markets.
Stellantis, one of the world's five largest auto groups, has announced plans to relocate production of its flagship Jeep Compass from Canada to the United States—a move that marks a dramatic pivot in the company's North American manufacturing strategy. More than just a routine operational shift, the decision is being seen by analysts as a high-stakes gamble, trading short-term diplomatic friction for long-term strategic gain.