Amid rising US-China tech tensions, Taiwan-based PCB suppliers have accelerated factory expansions in Southeast Asia since 2022. However, despite new PCB clusters reaching full production, most PCBs for server orders remain manufactured in China, except for security-sensitive items such as low-earth orbit satellite parts. The server supply chain still depends largely on China's mature and cost-effective facilities
As the US deadline for reciprocal tariffs, set under the Trump administration, approaches on August 1, 2025, Taiwan's final tax rate remains unresolved. While Vietnam and the Philippines—now major production hubs for Taiwanese networking equipment manufacturers—face tariffs of 20% and 19% respectively, speculation has emerged over whether a more favorable rate for Taiwan could trigger a shift in production back home
Recent tariff negotiations between Southeast Asian countries and the US under President Donald Trump have yet to produce finalized agreements with nations including Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. Automotive supply chain stakeholders anticipate that final tariff rates across Southeast Asia will converge, contributing to increased industrial relocation from China
Powertech Industrial Co. is accelerating its shift to Vietnam, redirecting more than 60% of its procurement budget to mitigate risks tied to escalating US-China trade tensions. With President Donald Trump back in office and Vietnam's tariff policy now clarified, the company is capitalizing on renewed growth opportunities. Previously stalled orders are gradually resuming amid improved policy visibility
Malaysia plans to launch a sustainable data center framework in October 2025. As the data center industry experiences rapid growth, the government faces challenges related to energy transition
Taiwan-based Auden Techno Corp., a leading provider of radio frequency (RF) antenna solutions, broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in Vietnam's Hải Dương Province on July 21, 2025, underscoring the company's efforts to expand global production capacity and reinforce its international supply chain resilience
The US has announced two major trade agreements with the Philippines and Indonesia, signaling a shift in tariff structures and deeper bilateral cooperation in defense and commerce
Despite US tariffs on Indonesian goods, Indonesia is negotiating lower duties by offering significant benefits to US tech firms, especially Apple and Google
Teco Electric & Machinery has won new data center construction contracts in Malaysia after acquiring NCL Energy Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. The projects in Selangor and Johor Bahru will add 178MW of construction capacity, with contract values close to MYR170 million (US$40.1 million). This growth is fueled by rising demand for AI and hyperscale data centers in the region
According to Bernama, Malaysia has launched a MYR90 million (US$21.2 million) Science Endowment matching fund aimed at accelerating the country's push into advanced semiconductor packaging, a field dominated by global leaders such as Taiwan. The initiative, aligned with Malaysia's National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), is designed to strengthen its position as a competitive hub in the global chip supply chain
Southeast Asia has become a hotspot for data center investments, with Vietnam gaining traction due to its relaxed regulations, competitive costs, and supportive policies. Recent changes now allow foreign investors to own land and operate data centers independently, reflecting Vietnam's ambition to strengthen its digital infrastructure
Below are the top DIGITIMES Asia stories from July 14 to 20, 2025. The top three topics include Nvidia teams up with Micron for a major SOCAMM rollout, aiming to challenge high-bandwidth memory. Moreover, Nvidia begins limited GB300 AI server production. For China's semiconductor sector, Huawei's "Little HiSilicon" launches a wide range of chips, including its first RISC-V models
Malaysia's Penang state has served as a Southeast Asian technology hub for over five decades, hosting semiconductor operations since Intel established its presence in 1971. AMD, Renesas Electronics Corp., and Infineon followed, creating what became the region's most established chip ecosystem
Pegatron Chairman T.H. Tung welcomed the sharp reduction in US tariffs on Indonesian exports to 19%—the lowest among Asian countries to date—as a timely boost for the company's newly ramped-up production facility in Batam. He noted that the cut offers Taiwanese companies with operations in Southeast Asia a stronger foothold in global tech competition
