New tariff rates from the US government are set to take effect in August, impacting a range of countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia, all key players in Taiwan's regional trade network. Despite the broader uncertainties, Taiwan's automotive parts industry is expressing optimism, anticipating a potential surge in orders
Malaysia has steadily developed its outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT) industry, with Penang — often called the "Silicon Valley of the East" — at its core. A recent DIGITIMES visit to Penang offers a fresh view of the region's legacy OSAT giants and fast-rising newcomers
The Malaysian Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has announced that exports, transshipments, and transit of US-origin artificial intelligence (AI) chips will now require trade permits from the ministry. Companies and individuals must notify MITI at least 30 days in advance for review, even for goods not explicitly listed on Malaysia's strategic items list. This directive responds to increasing US scrutiny over AI chip smuggling routes across Southeast Asia
Malaysia has imposed new export restrictions on high-end artificial intelligence (AI) chips, including those from Nvidia, to curb potential rerouting to China. Effective immediately, all exports, transshipments, and re-exports of US-origin advanced AI chips require a Strategic Trade Permit, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) said on July 14, 2025. The regulation is based on the Strategic Trade Act (STA) 2010
The Trump administration is exploiting uncertainty and escalating tariff threats as its new strategy to force countries to comply with US demands. Starting on August 1, the US will impose a 30% tariff on EU goods (originally 20%), sparking strong retaliation across Europe
China has hit a roadblock in its printed circuit board (PCB) industry on its way to expand to Southeast Asia. Starting on August 1, 2025, the US will impose tariffs of up to 36% on goods from Thailand, which risks seriously impacting Thailand's manufacturing sector and upstream Chinese PCB operations in the country
