CONNECT WITH US
Wednesday 21 January 2026
US tariff easing slows supply chain shift to Southeast Asia
The US has finalized reciprocal tariffs with several countries, but supply chain sources say customer attitudes toward relocation vary. While server supply chains moving to North America continue to gain momentum, the pace of consumer electronics production shifts—such as notebooks relocating to Southeast Asia—has clearly slowed. The main reason is that increased costs from relocation are now close to the tariffs paid when producing in China, reducing the incentives to move
LATEST STORIES
Thursday 22 January 2026
Chinese AI chipmakers face mixed reactions to Nvidia H200 block
The US has confirmed that under a new set of stringent regulations, Nvidia's H200 is permitted to be exported to the Chinese market, and Chinese customers have expressed strong demand. However, the Chinese government has shown no intention of granting approval, causing supply chain plans that were originally preparing to ship to be put on hold. Currently, the main obstacle to entering the Chinese market is the mindset of the Chinese authorities. From the Chinese government's perspective, since domestic AI chips are already usable, there is no need to further allow China's AI development to rely more heavily on the US and Nvidia
Thursday 22 January 2026
EMS watch: Chinese EMS champions reshape their playbooks around AI hardware, autos, and global delivery
A cluster of China's leading electronics manufacturers and component suppliers is entering the new year with a clearer division of labor across the AI device wave, automotive electrification, and globalized manufacturing. Recent company filings, investor communications, and post‑autumn analyst commentary point to a common theme: growth is being pursued less through single-product cycles and more through platform capabilities—vertical integration, module-level design, and cross‑sector customer expansion—while capital market actions and overseas footprints are being positioned as strategic amplifiers
Thursday 22 January 2026
Luxshare faces alleged ransomware attack, putting Apple and Nvidia data at risk

China-based electronics manufacturing giant Luxshare Precision has been hit by a major cybersecurity incident, with a ransomware group claiming it breached the company's internal systems and stole large volumes of sensitive engineering and operational data tied to products for leading technology clients, including Apple, Nvidia, Tesla, Meta Platforms, Qualcomm, and LG Electronics. If confirmed, the incident could pose risks to the global consumer electronics supply chain

Thursday 22 January 2026
Chinese banks turn to satellites, boosting the country's commercial space industry

Since the start of 2026, China's commercial space sector has once again emerged as a focal point for both capital markets and industrial players. On one front, major Chinese banks have completed the launch of dedicated or jointly operated satellites, formally integrating satellite applications into financial risk management and digital operations. On another, privately owned aerospace companies are accelerating their push toward initial public offerings, underscoring how commercial spaceflight is moving more rapidly toward both capital-market validation and real-world applications

Thursday 22 January 2026
Commentary: China's NPI edge comes under pressure
Geopolitical uncertainty shows little sign of easing, driving continued adjustments across the global consumer electronics supply chain. In manufacturing, the industry is moving beyond simple capacity dispersion and entering a new phase marked by the geographic redistribution of engineering capabilities. Recent market reports that Google plans to relocate portions of new product introduction (NPI) work for select high-end smartphone models to Vietnam starting in 2026 have drawn close attention across the industry
Thursday 22 January 2026
Rising China-Japan tensions put semi materials in the spotlight

As tensions between China and Japan escalate over export controls on rare earths and semiconductor materials, China is accelerating efforts to build domestic production capacity—even as Japanese firms continue to dominate the global photoresist market

Thursday 22 January 2026
Lutnick warns memory chipmakers may face 100% tariffs without US production

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have been investing tens of trillions of won each year to expand memory production as the global market moves into a new upcycle. That spending now faces fresh pressure from the US semiconductor tariff policy, complicating long-term investment planning at the two companies

Thursday 22 January 2026
Tripod Technology targets over NT$5B in 2026 capex for Vietnam, China expansion

PCB maker Tripod Technology said full-year 2025 revenue reached a record high, and it expects stable momentum heading into 2026 despite ongoing inventory adjustments among automotive customers. Strong demand from server and memory module applications is driving a steady increase in utilization rates, allowing first-quarter operations to defy traditional seasonality and remain in line with the previous quarter's revenue level

Thursday 22 January 2026
Raana Semiconductors raises US$3 million seed round to develop indigenous silicon ingot growth systems
Raana Semiconductors Pvt. Ltd. (RSPL), an India-based company specializing in crystal growth systems and single-crystal materials, has raised US$3 million in a seed funding round, marking its first institutional capital raise. The pure equity round was led by Equirus Innovatex Fund and Artha Venture Fund, with participation from IvyCap Ventures, PointOne Capital, CIIE Initiatives (IIMA Ventures), and angel investor Garimella Laxminarayana. Valuation details were not disclosed, according to Inc42, Saure Energy, and BW Disrupt
Thursday 22 January 2026
India-based Paras Defence enters semiconductor packaging with new subsidiary
Paras Defence and Space Technologies Ltd. announced the launch of a new subsidiary, Paras Semiconductor Pvt. Ltd., marking the company's expansion into the semiconductor packaging and assembly sector. The move aims to address gaps in India's domestic capability for advanced semiconductor packaging, particularly for defence and strategic electronics applications
Wednesday 21 January 2026
Twin rocket failures expose risks in China's space race
China's space launch program suffered a rare setback this week, as two rockets failed in separate launch attempts within hours of each other—an unusual break in a record of growing reliability for the country's rapidly expanding space sector
Wednesday 21 January 2026
Column: Japan bets on deep-sea rare earth mining to break China's supply grip
On January 12, 2026, Japan's scientific drilling vessel Chikyu slowly departed port, heading toward the waters near Minamitorishima Island, about 1,900km southeast of Honshu. This mission is not merely a scientific expedition but a critical test tied to Japan's national economic security and the restructuring of global critical mineral supply chains
Wednesday 21 January 2026
Vietnam begins construction of first domestic semiconductor plant
Vietnam has officially begun construction of its first homegrown semiconductor chip manufacturing facility, marking a significant step in the country's plans to develop a domestic semiconductor ecosystem
Wednesday 21 January 2026
Thailand emerges as ASEAN PCB hub with Zhen Ding Tech's US$2.1B investment
Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI) recently approved a major investment plan led by Zhen Ding Tech (ZDT), the world's largest printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturer, in partnership with local firm Saha Pathana Inter-Holding (SPI). The project involves approximately THB65 billion (US$2.1 billion) to establish advanced PCB production capacity, aiming to position Thailand as a key PCB manufacturing center in Southeast Asia
Wednesday 21 January 2026
China tightens rare earth export controls to Japan, further fueling geopolitical tensions
Chinese authorities have increased scrutiny on rare earth exports bound for Japan, as export volumes declined in December 2025 compared to the previous month. The move reflects Beijing's intent to exert greater control over essential materials amid escalating tensions with Tokyo