Apple supplier Luxshare-ICT (also known as Luxshare Precision) has called on the Vietnamese government to address ongoing skilled labor shortages and bureaucratic inefficiencies in Nghe An province, warning that unresolved issues could limit its future investment plans in Vietnam
Following the announcement of a preliminary tariff agreement framework with Vietnam, US President Donald Trump recently told the media that letters would soon be sent to several related countries outlining subsequent tariff regulations. Regarding the scope of tariffs, Trump's statements were ambiguous, indicating some countries would face rates between 10-20%, while others could see tariffs as high as 60-70%, a significant disparity
China launched a "de-involution" campaign targeting solar, energy storage, and electric vehicle sectors since mid-March following the Two Sessions, focusing on industries hit by US trade restrictions under the Inflation Reduction Act
The US and Vietnam recently agreed on tariffs up to 40% on certain goods transshipped through Vietnam, targeting origin washing used to evade US duties. This move is part of a broader US effort against China and others, creating uncertainty for trade and impacting China-Vietnam relations and Taiwanese firms in the area
Below are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories from June 30 to July 6, 2025. This week's highlights include Samsung's strategic licensing of Intel patents to avoid global IP battles, Intel's executive shakeup, and Apple edges closer to launching a foldable iPhone. Meanwhile, China's domestic AI chipmakers face steep uphill battles, while Taiwan's semiconductor ecosystem formed a new alliance backing TSMC's international expansion
President Donald Trump's administration plans to restrict shipments of AI chips from the likes of Nvidia Corp. to Malaysia and Thailand, part of an effort to crack down on suspected semiconductor smuggling into China
South Korea's exports to the US have declined due to growing protectionist measures under the Trump administration, raising concerns about the competitiveness of South Korean products in the US market. A recent Korea International Trade Association (KITA) report highlights the impact of tariffs on key export sectors and warns of further challenges ahead if reciprocal tariffs are fully enforced
As global competition in artificial intelligence (AI) intensifies, the US-China rivalry has expanded beyond chips and models to include the competition for talent and education integration
Australia has filed a lawsuit against China-backed Indian Ocean International Shipping and Service Company for violating foreign investment laws, demanding it divest from rare earths producer Northern Minerals, as rare earths become a focal point for geopolitical and technological competition
Malaysia has revised its electricity tariff structure, resulting in a sharper-than-expected rise in power costs that is prompting data center operators to reassess their expenses as Malaysia has emerged as a data center hub thanks to favorable geographic and policy factors
South Korean president Lee Jae-myung has pledged to invest KRW100 trillion (US$73.9 billion) in AI development to make the country the third-largest AI power after the US and China. Lee is also turning to technocrats for three of the key positions in his new administration to lead his AI campaign
Due to the slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) demand and intensified competition in the battery market, South Korea's major battery manufacturers LG Energy Solutions (LGES), SK On, and Samsung SDI have shown lackluster performance. However, as global IT and automotive companies actively invest in the humanoid robot industry, batteries dedicated to humanoid robots are poised to become a key factor in reversing this trend
Apple and Xiaomi are doubling down on efforts to develop in-house 5G baseband chips, joining a race long dominated by tech heavyweights like Qualcomm and MediaTek. Both companies signaled their ambitions in 2025 to break away from reliance on third-party modem suppliers and take fuller control of their mobile silicon strategies
Yamaha Motor is accelerating its pivot into the semiconductor equipment space with the launch of Yamaha Robotics, a newly established division focused on robotic systems for electronics manufacturing. The company aims to position the business as its third major revenue pillar, alongside motorcycles and marine engines
