China's imports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment from Southeast Asia surged in 2025, surpassing direct shipments from the US, according to a Nikkei Asia analysis, as Washington moves to tighten export controls on advanced chipmaking tools.

Global semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales reached a record US$135.1 billion in 2025, rising 15% from US$117.1 billion in 2024, according to the latest data from SEMI. The growth reflects sustained industry investment in advanced logic, memory, and AI-driven capacity expansion, underscoring the accelerating buildout of semiconductor infrastructure worldwide.

Samsung Electronics has begun procuring semiconductor equipment for its P4 facility in Pyeongtaek, marking the transition of its planned 1c nanometer DRAM investment into the execution phase, according to South Korean media reports.

Samsung Electronics is nearing a technical milestone for its 2nm process, but yields are reportedly still below the level required for stable mass production, raising questions about its ability to secure major foundry customers for the next-generation node.

China's leading OSAT provider JCET has sustained steady growth in automotive electronics, driven by the rapid expansion of new energy vehicles and vehicle intelligence. As cars become more software-defined, semiconductor content and system complexity are rising, while electronic architectures shift from distributed systems toward centralized, platform-based designs.

Worldwide semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales rose 15% to a record US$135.1 billion in 2025 from US$117.1 billion a year earlier, driven by investment in advanced logic, memory, and AI-related capacity expansion, SEMI, the global semiconductor industry association, said.

Japan is accelerating efforts to rebuild a domestic advanced semiconductor ecosystem, with Rapidus at the center of a state-backed push spanning 2nm logic, advanced packaging, and AI chip demand creation.

Taiwan's exports rose to a record high in March, supported by demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and memory-related products, according to the Ministry of Finance.

Taiwan's semiconductor supply chain posted stronger-than-expected results in the first quarter of 2026, as artificial intelligence (AI) demand accelerated the adoption of advanced nodes and advanced packaging, lifting both foundries and equipment suppliers.