US President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Tuesday (April 29, 2025, PT), easing certain tariffs affecting automakers. The rollback of these trade measures, which companies like Ford and General Motors had warned could hurt US manufacturing by raising production costs and squeezing profit margins, offers short-term relief.
As the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to rise across China, long-distance charging remains a key concern for many drivers. In response, Chinese authorities are ramping up efforts to expand high-powered charging infrastructure nationwide, aiming to usher in a new era where EVs can charge as quickly and conveniently as refueling gasoline cars—a goal the government has dubbed—charge and go, driving at the speed of gas.
Taiwan's electronics manufacturing services (EMS) providers are accelerating their North American production plans in response to tariff threats, but component shortages and capacity constraints at US chip plants could hamper the AI server market for years, according to industry sources.
As tariff negotiations between the US and Japan intensify, Washington has turned a critical eye toward Japan's electric vehicle (EV) charging standards, identifying the country's CHAdeMO protocol as a significant non-tariff barrier. American officials have voiced frustration that Tesla's and other US automakers' charging systems are excluded from Japanese government subsidies, a point expected to take center stage in the upcoming second round of ministerial-level trade talks.
Since 2015, Mastertrans has focused on electric vehicle R&D. At the 360° MOBILITY Mega Shows, they presented a fully autonomous vehicle supply chain, including essential components like chassis, battery pack, and vehicle control systems. The company plans to debut its first electric intercity bus in the second quarter of 2025.
As vehicle electrification gains momentum, comprehensive solution providers are becoming pivotal to the EV supply chain. At the 2035 E-Mobility Taiwan show—held in 2025 despite its forward-looking title—Delta Electronics presented a broad suite of solutions under the theme "e-Charging Hub."
Electric vehicle (EV) charging company Evoasis and the Taipei City government jointly announced on April 22 that more than 300 AC smart charging piles across the city are now fully operational. Evoasis vice chairman Calvin Cheng said that the company will accelerate the expansion of its charging pile network in Taiwan in 2025, with the main focus on the northern cities of Taipei and New Taipei.
China is simultaneously engaged in tariff disputes with the US while accelerating dialogue with European automotive representatives to resolve the EU's anti-subsidy investigation against Chinese electric vehicles.
Amid geopolitical tensions, tariff adjustments, and regulatory pressures from the US, battery supply chain players state that Southeast Asian customers are reducing their reliance on Chinese-made batteries. Instead, they are seeking alternatives from South Korea, Taiwan, and other regions, fueling a new wave of business opportunities for companies like Samsung SDI and Formosa Smart Energy.
Chinese EV giant BYD has launched a megawatt (MW)-class fast-charging platform, pushing EV charging speeds to rival gasoline refueling—a move set to further pressure traditional car markets.
Nissan reportedly plans to close its Wuhan plant in China, reflecting Japanese car brands' rapid decline in the Chinese automobile market. However, the automotive supply chain still favors Japanese brands because of the higher gross profit margins associated with their orders, according to industry sources.
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