Weltrend Semiconductor projects strong double-digit revenue growth in 2025, fueled by rising demand for motor driver ICs in AI server cooling systems and an improving product portfolio.

GlobalFoundries (Nasdaq: GFS) has finalized its acquisition of MIPS, a US-based supplier of AI and processor IP, in a bid to fortify its position in differentiated semiconductor manufacturing and expand into high-growth segments such as artificial intelligence, edge computing, and advanced computing solutions.

The US government, under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, has imposed tariffs on imports such as steel and aluminum products, automobiles, auto parts, and copper products, citing national security concerns. On August 7, 2025, it announced a 100% tariff on semiconductor products, with exemptions granted to those already manufacturing or committed to manufacturing in the US.

The US government is expected to announce its tariff policy this week on semiconductor-related products—including smartphones, laptops, and surveillance devices—sending ripples of uncertainty through the global tech industry. A proposed 25% tariff on smartphones is now formally under consideration, placing the strategies of Samsung Electronics and Apple under intense scrutiny.

Over the past two weeks, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has promoted his company's new partnership with Samsung Foundry for manufacturing its AI chips. At one point, South Korean media speculated that Samsung might even take over exclusive foundry orders for Tesla's Dojo chips originally handled by TSMC, only to discover later that Musk had decided to shut down the supercomputer project.

Minebea Mitsumi has increased its tender offer bid (TOB) for shares of Shibaura Electronics to JPY6,200 (US$41.99) per share, matching the bid made by Taiwanese company Yageo Corporation. The TOB period has been extended to August 28, 2025.

Taiwan's IC design houses are seeing steady returns from years of investment in motor driver ICs, with demand rising across a wider set of applications and competition intensifying.

Chinese authorities have recently voiced concerns about the reauthorization of shipments for Nvidia Corporation's H20 AI chips, highlighting fears that these chips could be remotely disabled by the US. This capability, they argue, could be exploited to hinder China's AI development. In response, reports indicate that Beijing is encouraging domestic cloud providers to shift away from Nvidia's chips in favor of locally produced alternatives.

In response to the global surge in large-scale AI computing power deployment, the usage and value of PCBs for AI servers have significantly increased. High-end copper-clad laminate (CCL) is evolving as next-generation AI servers upgrade their transmission architecture to 1.6 terabit rates. With increasingly stringent demands for high-frequency, high-speed, and low-loss materials, board requirements are expected to officially advance from M7 and M8 grades to the M9 grade.

Samsung Electronics is again at the center of speculation over a potential end to DDR4 DRAM production, as fresh industry reports indicate it may keep the older-generation memory in its lineup longer than anticipated. While leading DRAM makers are shifting to higher-performance DDR5, DDR4 continues to deliver reliable profits in specific markets, making it a potential hold for Samsung.

A fire broke out early on August 7, 2025, at the nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) plant of Japanese industrial gas manufacturer Kanto Denka Kogyo in Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture. The incident raised concerns over potential supply chain disruptions in the semiconductor industry.