A combination of rising US tariffs, reduced benefits from China's "trade-in" subsidy program, and mounting inventory challenges has prompted Chinese panel makers to scale back production during the five-day May Day holiday. This measure aims to support prices, which have remained relatively flat since the end of April, preventing a sharp drop amid slowing purchasing activity from television brands.

Micro LED technology is gaining momentum as the next big leap in display innovation. Driven by the global AI surge, China's intensifying "hundred-glasses war" in smart eyewear has pushed micro-displays into the spotlight. Meanwhile, Micro LED is emerging as a potential game-changer in silicon photonics, offering high-speed optical communication capabilities. Long-anticipated uses in large-format TVs and automotive displays are finally moving toward mass production, signaling a broad and accelerating wave of commercialization across multiple industries.

Taiwan-based BenQ Materials is steadily increasing its high-margin product share in its display materials portfolio, a trend expected to persist across various applications, especially in markets outside the US, according to Chairman Z.C. Chen.

E-paper vendor E Ink has disclosed that its facilities in Taiwan and China have achieved UL 2799 "Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWTL)" certification, demonstrating its commitment to protecting the environment.

A surging New Taiwan dollar (NT$) is squeezing Taiwan's display panel makers, cutting into revenues and shrinking profit margins. In response, leading manufacturers and upstream suppliers are ramping up hedging strategies and real-time operational adjustments to weather the currency headwinds.

Compared to TVs, IT panels are more affected by tariffs. As a result, during the tariff exemption period, LCD monitor brands have continued strong inventory buildup and accepted slight panel price increases. For notebook panels, although demand remains steady, supply capacity is relatively ample, keeping market supply and demand balanced and prices stable.

LG Display (LGD) has become the first company worldwide to achieve product validation for a blue phosphorescent OLED panel, advancing a long-elusive milestone in the development of the so-called "dream OLED."

Industrial LCD displays specialist Litemax, which has a solid customer base in high-end applications markets in Europe and the US, is ready to adjust its strategies to cope with the tariffs that may undermine the competitiveness of its products in the American market.

With panel supply-demand conditions improving and demand for larger displays accelerating, TCL Technology's semiconductor display business is staging a strong comeback. According to its 2024 annual report and 2025 first-quarter results released on April 29, TCL posted record-high figures in its display segment, with robust revenue and profit growth underscoring its strengthened position in a recovering industry.

As the global supply chain continues to reel from the tariff war ignited by US President Donald Trump, Paul SL Peng, chairman of AUO, offers a measured analysis of the situation. He observes that, as panels are classified as components, tariffs have a relatively muted direct impact on AUO's business, with the brunt of the cost ultimately borne by importers and end customers. After a comprehensive review, Peng estimates that in 2025, only 10-15% of AUO's revenue will be exposed to the US market, with the actual financial impact from tariffs unlikely to exceed US$200 million. Consequently, the direct effect on AUO's bottom line remains limited.