DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Commentary: US delays DeepSeek blacklist, exposing AI export-control dilemma

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:11:44 GMT

The US has held back from adding Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, memory chipmaker CXMT, and more than 100 other entities to a key trade blacklist, underscoring Washington's struggle to balance national security controls with a broader effort to contain tensions with Beijing.

US AI export crackdown on Anthropic sparks global push for sovereign AI

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:52:23 GMT

A letter dated June 12 from US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei marked the most aggressive federal regulatory intervention targeting a leading generative AI firm to date, as Bloomberg confirmed.

Nvidia Vera CPU strains LPDDR supply as AI servers tap phone memory

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:51:56 GMT

Nvidia is expected to surpass Apple and Samsung Electronics' mobile division to become the world's top buyer of LPDDR, as AI servers and AI PCs pull low-power memory beyond smartphones, MoneyToday reported, citing electronics industry sources.

Snap unveils Specs AR glasses as AI wearables market expands

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:51:01 GMT

Snap unveiled its new Specs augmented reality (AR) glasses at the Augmented World Expo on June 16. Its offering comes at a time when electronics and AI companies are delving into the competitive smart wearables market, with some at very affordable price points.

Samsung, SK Hynix suppliers seek war-cost payback after US-Iran shock drains chip materials inventory

Levi Li — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:49:24 GMT

Semiconductor materials suppliers are moving to rebuild depleted inventories and recover sharply higher costs from Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix and other memory chip customers after the 106-day US-Iran war strained supply chains for precursors, specialty gases and other key chipmaking inputs.

Chip supply chains shift: TSMC's capacity crunch reportedly pushes Google, Tesla, BYD toward Samsung

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:44:23 GMT

Global chip buyers, including BYD, Google, AMD, and Tesla, are turning to Samsung Electronics as TSMC's advanced production lines remain fully booked, Nikkei Asia reported. The shift underscores how AI demand and supply-chain risk are reshaping where cutting-edge chips are made.

BOE starts production at China's first 8.6G AMOLED line

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:27:40 GMT

BOE Technology Group has begun mass production at its Chengdu high-tech zone facility, a move that could reshape the supply of OLED displays for notebooks and tablets, while intensifying competition in a market where manufacturers across Asia are racing to expand higher-generation panel capacity for global electronics buyers.

WinWay buys California property to support US expansion in AI and HPC

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:24:14 GMT

WinWay Technologies has bought real estate in California for US$2.28 million to create a local manufacturing and office base, a move that underscores how Asian suppliers are expanding closer to US customers as demand rises for AI, high-performance computing, and chip testing services worldwide.

Inside DeepSeek's US$7.4 billion funding raise: China's AI champion keeps investors close and control closer

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:18:23 GMT

Chinese AI lab DeepSeek has closed its first external funding round, raising more than CNY50 billion (approx. US$7.4 billion) in a deal that values the large-language model developer at more than US$50 billion and makes it China's most valuable AI startup.

WFE Technology to transform into holding company, eyeing smart building growth

Rodney Chan — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:05:32 GMT

Electronic components distributor WFE Technology has launched a transformation plan to become an investment holding company. The company said smart building demand is boosting its electronic lock business, while AI-driven component demand is lengthening lead times.

Bull and Foxconn to build Nvidia's latest AI servers in Europe

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:00:46 GMT

Bull, the French computing company, and Foxconn announced Tuesday that they will manufacture systems based on Nvidia's Vera Rubin NVL72 platform in Europe — the first concrete output of a partnership the two companies unveiled just two weeks ago.

Tong Yang sees steadier auto parts demand as tariff and conflict risks ease

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:38:15 GMT

Tong Yang Group said global auto parts demand could stabilize in the second half of 2026 as tariff uncertainty eases and Middle East tensions cool, a shift that may help restore order timing and support suppliers tied to export markets, including readers tracking broader automotive and manufacturing trends worldwide.

Ta Tun Electric Wire and Cable opens Arizona office to target US chip and AI demand

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:35:18 GMT

Ta Tun Electric Wire and Cable is expanding into North America as semiconductor factories and AI data centers drive stronger demand for high-capacity power infrastructure worldwide. The company said its Arizona office and US certification push are meant to support chipmakers, cloud operators, and the broader energy needs of advanced computing facilities.

Li Auto's new automotive chip and what it says about China's EV market

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:34:01 GMT

Li Auto announced details of its new Mach M100 chip, a self-developed 5nm chip focused on autonomous driving, on June 15. This development marks the latest entry among Chinese automakers into designing in-house chips as they compete on cost and smart-driving features.

Shihlin Electric plans North America-focused plant as five business lines drive double-digit growth

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:32:10 GMT

Shihlin Electric said on June 17 that it expected double-digit revenue and profit growth for 2026, driven by momentum across five business lines: Taiwan Power grid resilience projects, energy transition initiatives, the AI data center supply chain, turnkey transportation and public works, and exports. Executives at the shareholders' meeting announced that a rising export mix should reduce seasonality between the first and second halves of the year.

Alibaba moves Qwen AI into robotics with first embodied intelligence suite

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:46:58 GMT

Alibaba Group has unveiled its first suite of artificial intelligence (AI) models for robots, taking its Qwen family beyond chatbots and software agents into machines that can navigate, simulate, and manipulate the physical world.

China PCB maker DSBJ bets US$1.2 billion on AI optical modules

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:43:10 GMT

Suzhou Dongshan Precision Manufacturing (DSBJ) will invest US$1.2 billion to expand optical chip and optical module capacity at Source Photonics, accelerating its shift from PCB manufacturing into AI data center optical communications.

Kaynes' Japan push signals India's bid to become an alternative chip packaging hub

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:16:16 GMT

India-based Kaynes Technology is seeking outsourced automotive semiconductor orders in Japan, a move that could help establish a foothold for Indian backend chip manufacturing in a market long dominated by East Asia. Japanese partners are backing the effort, but the company still faces strict quality hurdles.

InnoScience wins GaN patent battle against Infineon in China

Lily Hess — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:05:24 GMT

InnoScience Technology, a leading China-based integrated device manufacturer (IDM) in gallium nitride (GaN), has won a sweeping victory in the latest patent ruling against global power component leader Infineon in China. Supply-chain sources said the two sides' GaN patent fight has stretched from the US and Germany to China, and the ruling makes it even harder for Infineon within China's increasingly cutthroat market.

D-Link bets on AI therapy robots, targeting 100,000-unit shipments in 2027

Levi Li — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 03:58:28 GMT

D-Link is accelerating its transformation from a networking equipment brand into a broader AI and connectivity company, with CEO CJ Chang saying 2026 will mark the company's "rebirth" after years of restructuring.

Nexchip reportedly broadens semiconductor ambitions with new design and materials subsidiary

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 03:44:55 GMT

Chinese foundry Nexchip is expanding beyond wafer manufacturing with the establishment of a new wholly owned subsidiary, marking its latest move to deepen its presence across the semiconductor value chain.

Lithium carbonate prices recover as battery costs face fresh pressure

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 03:43:37 GMT

Lithium carbonate prices are beginning to recover as demand from China's power batteries and the global energy storage market strengthens. For readers worldwide, the shift could lift battery costs, reshape supply chains, and accelerate interest in sodium-ion technology as companies seek alternatives to lithium-heavy systems.

Apple's foldable iPhone launch may slip to early 2027

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 03:42:50 GMT

Apple's first foldable iPhone could arrive later than some market expectations, with supply chain sources indicating the device may not reach consumers until early 2027, pushing back the launch schedule for the company's entry into the foldable smartphone segment.

SpaceX to acquire Cursor in US$60 billion stock deal after blockbuster IPO

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 03:42:30 GMT

SpaceX has agreed to acquire Anysphere, the San Francisco company behind AI coding agent Cursor, in an all-stock deal valuing the startup at US$60 billion, giving Elon Musk's newly public company a stronger foothold in enterprise AI tools and software development.

India's PC market jumps in 1Q26 as notebook demand surges

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 03:16:28 GMT

India's PC market expanded sharply in the first quarter of 2026, a shift with implications that reach beyond the country's borders as vendors, buyers, and policymakers all responded to rising component costs. Strong notebook demand, government education tenders, and inventory front-loading lifted shipments, even as desktops weakened and the tablet market showed mixed trends.

Taiwan's Astrogate taps South Korean wireless conferencing market, secures LG, SK Hynix

Willis Ke — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 03:13:05 GMT

Taiwan-based wireless collaboration solutions provider Astrogate is establishing South Korea as its primary growth market. The company is leveraging cross-brand compatibility, secure Taiwanese manufacturing, and deep localized market insight to anchor its expansion.

Exclusive: Largan taps Han's Laser equipment as optics makers target FAU growth

Sherri Wang — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 03:06:53 GMT

Taiwan optical leader Largan Precision has disclosed an equipment order worth about NT$650 million (US$20.6 million) from Chinese laser-processing equipment maker Han's Laser Technology Industry Group. DIGITIMES has exclusively confirmed with sources inside Han's Laser that the equipment covers automation and glass solutions.

PCIM 2026: How high-voltage infrastructure is unifying AI and e-mobility sectors

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 03:04:53 GMT

Semiconductor manufacturers, market analysts, and engineering departments have long tracked the clean energy transition through siloed vertical markets. For example, they will calculate individual EV sales on one spreadsheet while tracking hyperscale data center deployments on another. However, during PCIM Europe 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany, industry leaders and experts discussed and dismantled this flawed strategy.

Omega-EVA signals China's push to bring world models into real-world robotics

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 03:02:50 GMT

World models are rapidly emerging as one of AI's most closely watched frontiers. While major AI figures such as Fei-Fei Li and Yann LeCun have recently championed the concept, a new launch in China highlights how the technology is beginning to move beyond research and into embodied AI applications.

Foxconn teams with power giants to seize AI data center demand

Lily Hess — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:50:01 GMT

Driven by Nvidia and other tech giants, global AI data center buildouts are undergoing an unprecedented structural shift. The pressure is not only coming from explosive compute demand, but also from upgrades in power, cooling, and supply-chain resilience.

Poland turns to Taiwan to build up chips as Foxconn seals EV assembly deal

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:25:39 GMT

Poland is seeking major Taiwanese investment to strengthen its manufacturing base, a shift that could reshape Europe's supply chains and technology capacity. The plan spans electric vehicles, semiconductors, and industrial policy, and reflects how governments are adapting to geopolitical pressure and shortages in key global sectors.

Nvidia highlights role of optical networking as Coherent breaks ground on Texas AI chip facility

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:09:16 GMT

AI infrastructure is increasingly dependent on light, and more of that technology is being built in Texas. Coherent's new Sherman expansion, backed by public and private funding, could strengthen global supply chains for the lasers and optical components that connect data centers, chips, and servers worldwide.

Xiaomi Auto veteran says Tesla's EV edge starts on factory floor

Levi Li — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:04:41 GMT

Xiaomi Auto is putting manufacturing and supply chain control at the centre of its electric vehicle strategy, with former Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory head Song Gang saying Tesla's real competitive moat lies not in branding alone, but in manufacturing execution.

EssilorLuxottica, Applied Materials team up on smart eyewear technology

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 01:55:18 GMT

EssilorLuxottica and Applied Materials have agreed to a long-term partnership to speed development of intelligent optical systems for augmented reality and AI-powered smart eyewear, a move that could help shape future consumer devices used by people around the world. The companies said the effort aims to make advanced display glasses lighter, more capable, and easier to manufacture at scale.

Ajinomoto's chip film faces supply test as AI demand climbs

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 01:45:00 GMT

The global appetite for AI chips is putting new strain on materials suppliers, turning one of Ajinomoto's lesser-known products into a pressure point for advanced semiconductor packaging.

PSMC buys NT$1.04 billion in Lam Research equipment to support capacity growth

Eifeh Strom — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 01:42:25 GMT

Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing (PSMC) announced on June 16 that, effective from May 22, 2026, it purchased semiconductor production facilities and machinery from Lam Research for use in wafer production, in a transaction totaling NT$1.04 billion (approx. US$32.94 million). The move comes as the company steps up investment in equipment and new technologies to seize artificial intelligence (AI) opportunities.

Superior Plating Technology turns to AI liquid cooling and CPO

Charlene Chen — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 01:30:00 GMT

Superior Plating Technology chairman Lei-Je Hua said the company is shifting more resources into AI liquid cooling, CPO communication modules, and nearline HDDs for AI data centers, while expanding production in Thailand and adding a new manufacturing base in Vietnam to build a multinational supply chain and meet customers' capacity-relocation needs. After years focused on precision metal surface treatment, the company said its revenue exposure to major smartphone customers has fallen sharply as it aligns with its group's long-term strategy. It is now targeting a more diversified, higher-margin product mix.

Tata Electronics pollution probe closure highlights lingering risks for Apple's India supply chain

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 01:11:15 GMT

Reuters reported on June 16 that Tamil Nadu's pollution control board closed its probe into Tata Electronics' Hosur iPhone component plant after the company addressed violations of water contamination regulations. The decision removes the threat of a shutdown, but it also underscores the operational and regulatory risks still facing Apple's suppliers in India.

Amkor alone cheers 10-year TSMC advanced packaging deal in Arizona

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:51:46 GMT

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and Amkor Technology have signed a 10-year agreement to jointly expand advanced semiconductor packaging capacity in Arizona, a move that would bring a more complete chip supply chain onto American soil.

Hiwin unit Matrix Precision deepens Japan cooperation as demand for high-precision gears rises

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:43:32 GMT

Matrix Precision, a unit of Hiwin Technologies, said it deepened cooperation with Japan after a delegation from the Japan Gear Manufacturers Association visited its facilities as gear machining demand rose due to geopolitical shifts, supply chain restructuring and manufacturing upgrades. The firm announced the visit reinforced Taiwan-Japan ties and helped both sides reach a deeper consensus on future development in high-precision gearmaking.

Topkey accelerates carbon fiber footprint into drones, robots, and LEO satellites

Willis Ke — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:42:01 GMT

Taiwan-based carbon fiber composite maker Topkey is accelerating its expansion into high-growth technology sectors, with formal evaluations underway for applications in drones, industrial robots, and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The initiative marks a strategic step in the company's transformation from a traditional sporting goods supplier into a provider of advanced composite solutions for aerospace, electronics, and smart machinery.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics expands silicon capacitor push on integration edge

Charlene Chen — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:41:48 GMT

Samsung Electro-Mechanics (Semco) is rapidly gaining ground in the silicon capacitor market as AI infrastructure investment and technology upgrades accelerate demand. After landing its first major silicon capacitor order, the company is in talks with additional potential customers, while its multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) business is also expanding and operating profit is expected to hit a record high.

Exclusive: Galatek eyes up to 200% chip growth with Malaysia packaging push

Sherri Wang — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:41:35 GMT

Singapore-based Galatek Technologies is expanding into scarce advanced packaging equipment as it builds localized manufacturing capacity in Malaysia, aiming to capture demand from a shifting global semiconductor supply chain.

Gem Terminal eyes new growth curve in 2026 with shipments of AI-related thermal materials

Kevin Wang — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:41:22 GMT

Gem Terminal Industry is seeing the results of its recent efforts in developing new copper materials, with expectations of sequential quarterly growth in 2026 as production capacity in the company's Taiwan copper plant continues to ramp up, amid steady progress in its AI-related thermal materials layout, and new opportunities emerging from China's transition toward a new national standard for electric terminals. Going forward, the company is eyeing further operational growth in 2027.

China cuts AI compute prices, revealing pressure to fill supercomputing capacity

Levi Li — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:41:09 GMT

China's state-backed National Supercomputing Internet has launched a 618 computing-power promotion, offering low-priced token packages, free tokens, and discounts on optical character recognition (OCR) services in an effort to draw more enterprises and developers to its AI services.

AI PC design wins, drone business to boost Elan in 2H26

Scarlett Yu — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:40:56 GMT

In light of tensions concerning non-China supply chains, microcontroller unit (MCU) supplier Elan Microelectronics expects stronger performance in the second half of 2026 as new AI PC programs enter production following the newly established drone business.

Acer E-Enabling posts nearly 20% revenue growth as AI agent demand boosts cloud and security services

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:40:55 GMT

Acer E-Enabling Service Business said enterprise adoption of AI Agent applications has driven stronger demand for cloud services, cybersecurity, and AI solutions, lifting its revenue in January to May 2026 by nearly 20% year on year. The firm reported consolidated revenue of NT$575 million (US$18.22 million) in May 2026, a 30.5% increase from May 2025, and cumulative revenue of NT$4.416 billion for the first five months of 2026, up 19.7% year on year.

Space data centers face cooling hurdles and cost barriers

Lily Hess — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:40:41 GMT

As SpaceX's listing has sparked discussion of space data centers, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said the concept requires no magic and is simpler than existing Starlink systems. But supply chain sources say that cooling remains a major hurdle, while DIGITIMES Research shows that the timing is another key problem: launch costs have yet to reach commercial viability.

Research Insight: Japanese automakers pivot to HEV profits, AI, and SDV

Lily Hess — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:40:26 GMT

Toyota, Honda, and Nissan are accelerating strategy shifts as Chinese automakers rise rapidly, global EV competition intensifies, and software-defined vehicles (SDV) and AI advance, according to DIGITIMES Research. The research firm noted that Japanese automakers are moving away from scale expansion and toward profitability and smart-vehicle development, with hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) remaining the near-term growth anchor.

Huawei raises end-consumer product prices from July

Lily Hess — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:40:12 GMT

Huawei has notified partners and channel distributors that it will raise end-customer prices across its Intelligent Collaboration product line from July 1 this year, as the AI computing buildout tightens chip and component supply across the global semiconductor chain. The move follows Lenovo's earlier price increase and underscores mounting cost pressure on enterprise devices.

China's six-network plan signals a long-term infrastructure and technology self-reliance push

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:39:58 GMT

China's elevation of six infrastructure categories to national strategic priority status could reshape its industrial base, reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers, and strengthen its position in artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and advanced manufacturing. The framework bundles water, power, compute, communications, urban pipelines, and logistics into a single planning system.

AI era reshapes power dynamics between software firms and model providers

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:39:17 GMT

As companies adapt to the rise of artificial intelligence, technology leaders are increasingly debating how to preserve their competitive advantage while integrating AI into their operations. According to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, companies should develop "learning loops" that enable human expertise and AI capabilities to reinforce each other, rather than allowing knowledge to become concentrated among a small number of AI model providers.

Volkswagen cuts deeper as market headwinds erase savings

DIGITIMES — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:39:03 GMT

Volkswagen Group announced expanded layoffs and production cuts as it sought to secure net annual savings of ?6 billion by 2030, citing persistent pressure from geopolitical tensions, war, energy costs and inflation that have undermined earlier cost reductions. The company disclosed the move ahead of its annual general meeting and said savings from prior workforce and output cuts had been fully offset by adverse market conditions.

Nvidia sells US$25 billion in bonds as investors seek foothold in AI boom

DIGITIMES — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 09:07:00 GMT

Nvidia launched a sale of US$25 billion worth of high-grade bonds on June 15, ultimately garnering up to US$85 billion in orders, or more than triple the bond's original size. This is one of several debt offerings this year from tech giants, which are responding to investor excitement and a need for cash to capitalize on the AI boom.