Samsung Electronics has officially joined Nvidia's NVLink Fusion ecosystem, marking a significant step in the two companies' collaboration within the semiconductor foundry sector. Under Nvidia's open-standard strategy, Samsung is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening the global competitiveness of AI infrastructure

As South Korea prepares to host APEC 2025 Korea in Gyeongju on October 31, attention is focused on a potential high-stakes meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, rising tensions over China's expanded REE export controls and special port fees imposed on US-flagged vessels have intensified the trade conflict ahead of the summit. If unresolved through negotiation, these escalating trade barriers risk inflicting severe economic damage that could leave both the US and China worse off, while also harming Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea as collateral victims

Amid China's toughest-ever rare earth export controls, China's Ministry of Commerce on October 14, 2025, reiterated a firm stance against the US, stating that if Washington continues tariff hikes and escalates export restrictions, Beijing will "fight to the end," but "if there's talk, the door is open." This signals a tougher posture in ongoing trade negotiations

Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced that the new iPhone Air will open for preorder in China on October 17, with official sales beginning on October 22. The announcement was made during Cook's public appearance in China, where he promoted the device through a live stream on the popular platform Douyin, known internationally as TikTok

China is sending new shockwaves through the global economy after its two largest rare-earth producers announced a massive 37% price hike for the fourth quarter. The move comes just one day after Beijing expanded its export controls to include crucial semiconductor and AI technologies for the first time, signaling a tighter grip on the strategic materials

China tightened rare earth export controls after its National Day holidays, using its dominant production capacity to pressure US firms and advanced chipmakers amid rising supply chain risks

The European Union is preparing to push its green transition into a new and more forceful phase — one that could spark a contentious standoff with parts of its own automotive industry

South Korean memory chipmaker SK Hynix has reportedly encountered unexpected resistance from local residents regarding its US$3.87 billion semiconductor factory investment plan in West Lafayette, Indiana. The project has garnered strong support from the US federal and state governments and is seen as a symbol of the US CHIPS Act's success in forging technological alliances

On October 9, 2025, China's Ministry of Commerce issued Announcements No. 61 and 62, expanding export controls on rare earths. The scope now extends beyond raw materials to include equipment, technology, and assemblies containing rare earth elements. An extraterritorial clause was also introduced, stating that foreign products containing a certain proportion of Chinese-origin rare earths or manufactured using Chinese technology must also apply for export licenses. China emphasized that this clause was intended to improve the regulatory system; in response, the US raised tariffs

In just three months, China has implemented two sweeping rounds of export restrictions on its lithium battery supply chain, marking a sharp shift in Beijing's strategy from simple industrial protectionism toward a broader geo-economic agenda

Nexperia, a Dutch semiconductor company and a key supplier of essential "long-tail" components used in cars and industrial equipment, has become an unexpected casualty of the intensifying US-China tech rivalry. Owned by China's Wingtech Technology, the company is now caught in a tightening squeeze, with new export controls from both Washington and Beijing threatening to upend its global operations

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held talks with Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon to discuss technological cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and 6G advancements. The leaders shared perspectives on the future of India's tech ecosystem on X, emphasizing the country's expanding role in the global technology landscape

Foxconn, the world's largest electronics contract manufacturer, will invest about INR150 billion (approx. US$1.69 billion) in Tamil Nadu to expand its operations and create 14,000 high-value engineering jobs, state Industries Minister T R B Rajaa announced on X

As memory and storage prices enter a rapid growth cycle, Chinese memory supply chains are expanding their influence by targeting domestic smartphone brands. Leveraging upstream manufacturers' resources and localized partnerships, these Chinese firms are gradually capturing market share traditionally dominated by major global memory companies. Suppliers for smartphone giants like Transsion and Xiaomi are seeing significant increases in their footprint

According to the latest data from China's General Administration of Customs, China's rare earth exports dropped sharply by 30.9% month-over-month to 4,000.3 tons in September 2025, down from 5,791.8 tons in August 2025. The export value was approximately CNY430 million (US$60.4 million)