DIGITIMES Asia news

Thursday 31 July 2025

China probes Nvidia over H20 chip "backdoor" risks, casting shadow on future sales

Chinese regulators have summoned Nvidia to address mounting concerns that its H20 artificial intelligence chip may contain backdoor vulnerabilities and tracking features, in a move that threatens to derail the company's sales prospects in the world's second-largest AI market

Thursday 31 July 2025

Hyundai chief joins Samsung, Hanwha in US tariff blitz

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Eui-sun will visit Washington on July 30 to back South Korea's final-stage trade negotiations with the US, joining Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hanwha Vice Chair Dong-kwan (DK) Kim in lobbying efforts. The talks aim to reduce the 25% US import tariff on cars, a key issue for Korean automakers seeking to maintain price competitiveness

Thursday 31 July 2025

Taiwan's manufacturing exodus: why lower tariffs won't bring factories home

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

Thursday 31 July 2025

Screen Holdings sees 12% profit drop as China demand slows, investment weighs

Japanese chip equipment maker Screen Holdings reported a 12.2% year-over-year decline in operating profit for the second quarter of 2025, reaching JPY24.3 billion (US$163 million), as subdued demand from China and elevated fixed costs from growth-related investments weighed on earnings

Thursday 31 July 2025

SK Hynix labor dispute heats up after bonus talks collapse

Tensions are rising at South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix after wage negotiations between the company and its labor union collapsed, setting the stage for possible large-scale protests. At the heart of the dispute lies a disagreement over performance-based bonuses, which the union deems insufficient given the company's record-breaking earnings in 2024

Thursday 31 July 2025

US hits Chinese graphite with 160% tariffs, threatening EV costs

The US Commerce Department imposed anti-dumping tariffs as high as 93.5% on Chinese graphite imports in mid-July 2024, bringing total duties to 160% when combined with existing countervailing measures and threatening to increase electric vehicle costs by US$1,000 to US$1,500 per unit

Thursday 31 July 2025

Samsung chip operating profit plunges 90% amid memory inventory and low foundry utilization

Samsung Electronics announced its official financial results for the second quarter of 2025, reporting revenue of KRW74.6 trillion (US$53.5 billion) and an operating profit of KRW4.7 trillion, consistent with preliminary figures. Compared to the same period in 2024, revenue remained roughly flat, but operating profit was halved, with Samsung attributing the decline primarily to weak performance in its semiconductor business

Thursday 31 July 2025

Samsung outlines mobile growth and AI strategy amid tariff concerns, highlights 2nm Exynos roadmap

During its second quarter 2025 earnings call, Samsung Electronics addressed the outlook for its Mobile Experience (MX) division and unveiled strategic plans focused on AI innovation and advanced chip development, while acknowledging ongoing external headwinds such as potential US tariff increases and currency volatility

Thursday 31 July 2025

Samsung sees memory rebound, eyes HBM3E growth and 3Q25 price surge

Samsung Electronics experienced a rebound in its memory business during the second quarter of 2025, driven by AI-led demand and rising legacy DRAM prices. The company expects further gains in the third quarter of 2025, with HBM3E sales surging and DRAM and NAND prices set to climb across key product segments

Thursday 31 July 2025

Samsung maps foundry future post-Tesla deal: eyes 2026 Taylor ramp and broader US client base

During the earnings call for second quarter results, Samsung Electronics declined to provide further information regarding its US$16.5 billion foundry deal with Tesla, while noting its competitiveness in advanced process technologies that is expected to significantly boost utilization at its new Taylor, Texas facility, which is set to ramp up operations in 2026

Thursday 31 July 2025

China's third central automaker revs up EV-chip cluster in Chongqing

As China moves to curb domestic EV overcompetition and prioritize industrial upgrading, China Changan Automobile Group (CCAG) officially launched in Chongqing on July 27. The restructuring makes CCAG the third centrally owned automaker in the country, alongside FAW Group and Dongfeng Motor Corporation

Thursday 31 July 2025

Hanmi reportedly planning US$71 million hybrid bonding investment amid HBM surge

South Korea's Hanmi Semiconductor is reportedly planning to invest KRW100 billion (US$71.4 million) in hybrid bonding technology, with commercial equipment targeted for release by the end of 2027

Thursday 31 July 2025

Automakers extend factory suspensions as Japan responds to tsunami warning

Japan's major automakers extended factory suspensions into July 31, 2025, following a powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on the morning of July 30, 2025, which triggered a tsunami warning across Japan's Pacific coast, from Hokkaido to the Kinki region

Thursday 31 July 2025

US 25% tariff jolts India's electronics sector and Apple

A new 25% US tariff on Indian imports has intensified trade tensions and poses a significant threat to India's fast-growing electronics export industry. The move widens India's disadvantage against Vietnam in the US market and complicates Apple's supply chain strategy. However, based on past adjustments to US tariff policy, there may still be room for negotiation to mitigate the impact on critical sectors

Thursday 31 July 2025

Arm's China surge and steady royalties offset smartphone and export curbs slump

Arm Holdings saw steady royalty revenue growth in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 despite a slow smartphone market recovery. CFO Jason Child reported a 25% year-over-year increase in royalties, at the lower end of forecasts. Although Arm's smartphone segment grew nearly ten times faster than the broader market, overall smartphone demand stayed in the low single digits, capping potential gains

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