SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won has defended Samsung and SK's combined KRW4,755 trillion (approx. US$3.52 trillion) investment plans, arguing that South Korea cannot keep pace in the global artificial intelligence (AI) race without committing unprecedented amounts of capital.

Paras Semiconductors, a subsidiary of Indian defense company Paras Defence & Space Technologies, announced a strategic technology partnership with US-based BroadPak Corporation on November 6 to build advanced semiconductor packaging capabilities in India, anchored by a planned INR62 billion (US$658.77 million) OSAT facility in Madhya Pradesh.

Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix and Micron are reportedly collaborating on charging standards for mobile robots used in semiconductor fabs, seeking to accelerate factory automation and lay the groundwork for unmanned manufacturing. The initiative is unusual as it brought together major industry rivals to standardise robotic components, equipment, communications and system interfaces, potentially drawing broader attention across the semiconductor industry.

China announced on November 9 that it would extend the suspension of an additional 24% tariff on US imports for another two months, while retaining the 10% additional tariff, following agreements reached during talks between Chinese and US leaders in Washington. The extension, announced by the State Council Tariff Commission, will take effect at 1:01pm on November 10, 2026, and is intended to maintain stability in bilateral trade relations.

Surging demand for AI computing is accelerating data center construction in both the US and China, although the US is expected to retain a substantial lead in installed capacity through 2030.

Shanghai Micro Electronics Equipment (SMEE) has showcased a new generation of domestically developed lithography systems spanning front-end wafer fabrication and advanced packaging, marking further progress in China's semiconductor equipment localisation. The company claims more than 90% of key components in its front-end systems are sourced domestically, with the equipment advancing into volume production.

South Korean equipment maker Naintech is expanding beyond secondary-battery equipment by entering TCL China Star Optoelectronic Technology’s 8.6-generation inkjet OLED mass-production line. South Korean media reported that Naintech secured a KRW25.4 billion (approximately US$17.5 million) supply contract with LG Electronics.

Everlight Chemical's consolidated revenue reached NT$737 million (US$22.4 million) in October 2026, up 26.2% from NT$584 million a year earlier, driven by a 75% year-over-year increase in electronic chemicals revenue and steady growth in color chemicals.

A fire broke out at Foxlink’s plant in Tucheng, New Taipei City, at around 8 a.m. on November 9, prompting the city’s fire department to dispatch multiple vehicles and emergency personnel. The company said it evacuated all employees, formed a crisis response team, and found no casualties in its initial assessment, while the cause and extent of the damage remain under investigation.

Toyota Motor has established Toyota Robotics, a dedicated robotics division, joining major global rivals in developing robotics technologies and using data from its manufacturing sites to accelerate commercial deployment.

China's semiconductor equipment localisation is accelerating, with chipmakers increasing domestic procurement and local suppliers expanding into advanced manufacturing. Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC) is emerging as a key example of this shift.

King Yuan Electronics (KYEC) general manager Gauss Chang said the company's plan to establish a US testing facility in Texas remains on schedule despite concerns that a shift in control after the US midterm elections could alter AI policy. He said KYEC's long-term investment strategy is unlikely to be disrupted by short-term political changes.

India's push to expand semiconductor assembly and packaging capacity risks outpacing the development of its chip testing infrastructure, potentially increasing costs and prolonging reliance on overseas facilities.

US President Donald Trump said on November 8 that Jensen Huang should remain CEO of Nvidia, hours after the chipmaker's board opened an independent investigation into whether Huang had been the target of a foreign intelligence effort following his admission of an affair with a woman US officials suspect of spying for China.

Optical lens maker Genius Electronic Optical (GSEO) reported October 2026 consolidated revenue of NT$2.126 billion (approx. US$64.9 million), down 20.41% from September and 5.78% from the same month in 2025, as China's National Day holiday and delayed customer product launches reduced shipments.