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Tuesday 8 April 2025
US reciprocal tariffs deal blow to Chinese, Taiwanese manufacturers in Vietnam
On April 2, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order launching a new wave of "Liberation Day" reciprocal tariffs on major trading partners, including China, Taiwan, the EU, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, India, and Malaysia. Rates range from 10% to 46%, with Vietnam hit hardest. China's overall tariff will rise to 54% when a new 34% levy is added to the existing 20%. The measures take effect on April 9, 2025
Tuesday 8 April 2025
IC distributors brace for inevitable tariff cost pass-through with potential supply chain adjustments

President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariff policy has sent shockwaves across global markets. Although many countries have since proposed countermeasures, it's expected that these tariffs will lead to significant adjustments in product prices, with the tariff costs gradually passed down the supply chain to end consumers. Supply chain professionals emphasize that the key issue will be how much flexibility and acceptance the market has for these added costs

Tuesday 8 April 2025
Southeast Asia grapples with US tariffs, seeks diplomatic solutions
Southeast Asian nations are navigating a complex trade landscape following US President Donald Trump's announcement of reciprocal tariffs. Despite widespread condemnation of the move as a breach of free trade principles, regional leaders have opted for diplomacy over retaliation, prioritizing continued negotiations with the US
Tuesday 8 April 2025
US tariffs force Foxconn pivot toward India, Vietnam for non-China, non-US markets
The global electronics industry is bracing for significant disruption after implementing new baseline and reciprocal tariffs announced on April 2. Experts predict that smartphones, personal computers, and servers will be among the first sectors to feel the immediate impact, prompting major manufacturers like Foxconn to adjust their operational strategies rapidly
Monday 7 April 2025
Taiwan's Ichia forecasts growth in 2025 on Nintendo supply deal, diversifying production beyond China
Ichia Technologies, a Taiwanese manufacturer of mechanical components and flexible printed circuits, projects continued growth in 2025, driven by new supply relationships with Nintendo and expanding automotive sector demand, despite global market uncertainties
Monday 7 April 2025
Powerlogic expands in Thailand with new subsidiary as Trump slaps 36% tariffs
Powerlogic is strategically diversifying its operations by establishing a new subsidiary in Thailand that focuses on the burgeoning automotive and new application fan sectors. The company's board recently authorized chairman Wen-Faung Hsu to initiate the search for a suitable production base, with a budget allocation of THB200 million (approx. US$5.81 million) as it expands its international footprint and capitalizes on Thailand's robust automotive industry
Monday 7 April 2025
Apple production hubs hit by tariffs
Apple Inc. is finding itself squarely in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump's new tariffs, even after a yearslong effort to insulate the iPhone maker from trade wars and supply chain disruptions
Saturday 5 April 2025
Trump tariffs spare no country; Asia and Europe are hit harder
President Donald Trump is imposing tariffs on US trading partners worldwide, his biggest assault yet on a global economic system he has long bemoaned as unfair.
Trump said Wednesday he will apply a minimum 10% tariff on all exporters to the US and slap additional duties on around 60 nations with the largest trade imbalances with the US. That includes substantially higher rates on some of the country's biggest trading partners, such as China — which now faces a tariff of at least 54% on many goods — the European Union and Vietnam
Wednesday 2 April 2025
Goertek pours US$390 million into Vietnam expansion, inks key HUST partnership
Goertek, a leading Chinese electronics manufacturer, is expanding its footprint in Vietnam with a proposed VND9,717 billion (approx. US$391 million) investment while also formalizing a partnership with Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) to support talent development and joint research initiatives
Wednesday 2 April 2025
Qualcomm acquires Vingroup's AI division for talents
According to a press release, Qualcomm has acquired MovianAI, the former generative AI division of VinAI, which is part of the Vingroup. This acquisition will enhance Qualcomm's R&D capabilities, potentially fostering significant innovations
Wednesday 2 April 2025
Talent shortage and operational challenges loom in Southeast Asia expansion for PCB industry

Looking ahead to 2025, the global PCB market is expected to maintain steady growth, driven by demand from AI servers and electric vehicles (EVs). As geopolitical tensions continue to reshape global supply chains, the PCB industry is increasingly focusing on expanding operations in Southeast Asia, leading to a rising demand for international talent

Tuesday 1 April 2025
UMC completes expansion of 22nm fab, set to begin production in 2026
On April 1, UMC announced the opening ceremony for its expanded facility in Singapore. The first phase of this new plant is scheduled to commence production in 2026, which is expected to increase the total capacity of UMC's Singapore Fab 12i to over one million 12-inch wafers annually
Tuesday 1 April 2025
Acer targets SEA healthcare sector with AI eye-screening software
Acer Group will showcase its VeriSee AI ophthalmic screening software at the Malaysia Ophthalmology Conference from April 25-27, 2025, targeting the Southeast Asian healthcare market where diabetes rates are among the region's highest
Friday 28 March 2025
AIDC enters Malaysian partnership to expand energy storage presence in Southeast Asia
Kai-hung Hu, chairman of Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. (AIDC), announced a partnership with the Malaysian company Cape EMS Berhad during a recent trip to the country, aiming to jointly expand in the Southeast Asian market through collaboration in the energy storage, aviation, and biotechnology and medical sectors
Thursday 27 March 2025
Chinese TV exports defy US tariffs with growth from emerging markets and supply chain shifts
Since returning to the White House, US President Trump has imposed a cumulative 20% tariff on imports from China. However, looking at the export volume of Chinese TV for January and February 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, there has been an unexpected increase rather than a decrease, with export value also showing slight growth. Facing these tariffs, how exactly are Chinese TV exports able to perform
Veeam Q2 Vault V ANZ
Intel signals overhaul of IDM 2.0 and foundry strategy with Lip-Bu Tan's appointment, says DIGITIMES