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Wednesday 16 April 2025
Commentary: No Computex, but Taiwan remains key to AMD's US plans
AMD CEO Lisa Su arrived in Taiwan on April 13, 2025, becoming the first global semiconductor executive to visit the island after the US government threatened to impose a wave of reciprocal tariffs earlier this month
Wednesday 16 April 2025
US-China standoff: High likelihood of negotiations amid rising tensions
The US government announced an executive order for reciprocal tariffs on April 2, 2025, imposing additional tariffs ranging from 11% to 50% on 57 countries with significant trade deficits starting April 9. Taiwan's tariff rate was set at 32%
Tuesday 15 April 2025
The Great Tech Reset 10: China's innovation edge—where business models outrun the tech
Electric vehicles are naturally ideal platforms for testing AI technologies. At the same time, the robotics industry is moving beyond 2D control systems into 3D, 4D, and more complex dimensions. The real shift, however, lies in business model innovation, not just technical advancement. Lei Zhang, founder of Hillhouse Investment, highlights this evolution, calling China "not only a leader in technological innovation, but a global powerhouse in business model innovation." A new wave of Chinese entrepreneurs is capturing global attention
Tuesday 15 April 2025
TSMC's global expansion bolsters 'Silicon Shield' amid Intel tie-up concerns
TSMC, the world's leading chip foundry, is embarking on an unprecedented global expansion that is testing the resilience of Taiwan's "silicon shield" while drawing skepticism about rumored partnerships with struggling competitors like Intel
Tuesday 15 April 2025
How Taiwanese manufacturers adapt to fickle tariff regime
The Trump administration's evolving tariff policies are causing market uncertainty. Fluctuating tariffs pose risks to economic growth and investment, fueling fears of a downturn. Despite this, industries must stay alert. Given the unpredictability of US tariff changes, businesses should continuously monitor developments and strategically plan to maintain stability
Tuesday 15 April 2025
Tariffs help US chips edge out Taiwan's IC designers? In this game, origin trumps heritage
As the US unleashes a sweeping new wave of global tariffs, speculation is swirling over whether Taiwanese IC design houses will lose ground to American rivals benefiting from tariff exemptions. However, insiders caution that the narrative of Taiwanese firms "losing orders" may not hold up under scrutiny
Monday 14 April 2025
The Great Tech Reset 13: China's rural-to-urban strategy reshapes global tech dominance
China's "Xinchuan" initiative, a national endeavor to supplant foreign technology and imported products with homegrown capabilities, stands as a cornerstone of its industrial policy. However, the reality on the ground reveals a paradox. Vast stockpiles of semiconductor equipment, procured with fervor, languish unused. Absent sufficient orders, these machines remain dormant, underscoring a stark underutilization of China's ambitious investments in chip-making infrastructure
Saturday 12 April 2025
As US tariffs escalate, China explores countermeasures targeting tech and IP
The trade conflict between the US and China has intensified, with the US recently announcing an increase in tariffs on Chinese goods to 125%. This move is seen as a reaffirmation of US President Donald Trump's hardline trade stance and pushes the global trade war to new heights. The two major powers are now akin to being in a game of chicken, with both sides nearing a breaking point
Friday 11 April 2025
Trump's tariff push disrupts global trade, raises risks for U.S. economy
After his second election as President of the United States, Trump has fully unleashed his destructive power on the global economic order. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba described the current situation as a "national crisis.
Friday 11 April 2025
Trump's auto parts tariffs spark chain reaction concern for Taiwan manufacturers
The tariff strategy of US President Donald Trump has taken another sharp turn, delaying implementation by 90 days and reducing tariffs for most countries to 10%. However, his 25% auto tariffs remain unchanged, along with the 25% tariff on auto parts set for May 3, 2025
Friday 11 April 2025
Global tech industry on high alert as Trump pauses tariffs
US President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariff policy has sent shockwaves through the international economic landscape. While the administration has now announced a 90-day suspension of these tariffs within 24 hours of implementation, tariffs specifically on China have been increased to 145%. This policy shift has left not only global markets but also American businesses and citizens reeling. Critics argue that these measures could inflict significant damage on the US economy, with dissenting voices growing louder across political and corporate spheres
Friday 11 April 2025
The Great Tech Reset 9: Inside the autonomous future—smart cars, drones, robots, AR gear take the lead
China's EV dominance is already global, but the next front is autonomous driving. It's no longer just about the vehicle; it's about the AI-powered stack behind it: maps, sensors, monitoring, and infrastructure. For AI, smart cars aren't just another use case—they're the ultimate proving ground
Thursday 10 April 2025
The Great Tech Reset 8: Sovereign AI
What we see today with OpenAI and DeepSeek are just the foundational infrastructures and rule-makers of the early investment stage. The current investments are made to secure industry leadership and control in the next phase. For nations, this also involves issues of "sovereignty.
Wednesday 9 April 2025
The Great Tech Reset 7: China's ambitious roadmap to semiconductor self-sufficiency
Compared to the wafer fabrication industry, which is highly restricted by equipment limitations, China's IC design sector—based on the opportunities within its domestic market—appears to have a more optimistic outlook. According to DIGITIMES, the output value of China's IC design industry reached US$35.8 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to US$73.2 billion by 2030, achieving double-digit annual growth. From autonomous driving chips to electronic design automation (EDA) tools, China aims to cover all aspects of the semiconductor industry and cultivate domestic leaders in each field. Huawei's HiSilicon, Cambricon (AI accelerators), Horizon Robotics (ADAS), and Silergy (often referred to as "China's Texas Instruments") all play key roles in this ecosystem
Wednesday 9 April 2025
US tariffs upend global diversification plans, nullify '+1' supply chain strategies
US President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping new tariff regime. Among the hardest hit are Cambodia and Vietnam, with tariffs of 49% and 45%, respectively, while Thailand and China will face 36% and 34%. Taiwan and Indonesia will see 32% tariffs. The aggressive move has triggered international criticism and rattled global supply chains