The EU's simultaneous push for stricter emission rules and industrial localization is increasing operational costs and complicating transformation for European carmakers, industry representatives say. The EU's flexible emission mechanism and the newly unveiled Industrial Acceleration Act (IAA) have failed to ease industry concerns.
AI is rapidly driving global computing demand and accelerating semiconductor industry growth. Applied Materials vice president Erix Yu expects the semiconductor market to reach US$1 trillion in revenue in 2026—earlier than previous forecasts.
In early 2026, Tesla CEO Elon Musk visited China to inspect its solar supply chain, focusing on back-contact, heterojunction, and perovskite technologies. This move suggests a reevaluation of SpaceX's future space solar power plans, highlighting a shift from prioritizing performance to emphasizing cost efficiency and scalability.
Wire and cable maker Hotron Precision Electronic Industrial's subsidiary, SmartGreen Solution, signed a long-term partnership with Canadian company Grid Vici on March 5, 2026. From June 2026 to December 2030, SmartGreen will serve as Grid Vici's exclusive manufacturing supplier, securing orders valued at up to NT$20 billion (US$630 million) over 3-5 years. Shipments are expected to begin in 2026.
Rising global silver prices have pushed the cost of silver paste used in solar panels up about 2.5 times in six months, intensifying competition across the solar supply chain and accelerating interest in next-generation solar cell technologies.
While the global economy pins its growth hopes on the rapid scaling of artificial intelligence (AI), the physical foundation of that technology is currently facing an existential threat in the narrow seaways of the Persian Gulf.
Taiwan is exploring regulatory measures to manage the rising electricity demand from AI computing infrastructure, even as the government rolls out incentives to accelerate the sector's development.
Rising tensions between the US and Iran have rattled global energy markets, exposing new vulnerabilities in Middle East supply chains. After drone attacks forced QatarEnergy to suspend liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, Taiwan's energy authorities moved swiftly to safeguard domestic supply, activating contingency plans to cushion against potential disruptions.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on March 2 and agreed to launch negotiations to upgrade the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). The upgrade expands cooperation beyond traditional trade into artificial intelligence (AI), small modular reactors (SMR), space and satellite technology, and quantum science, reflecting a shift toward structured technology and energy collaboration.
As hyperscalers' energy consumption continues to rise, pressure to cut carbon emissions is intensifying. Oil giant ExxonMobil recently disclosed during its earnings call that carbon capture opportunities related to data centers are rapidly emerging. The company has held substantive talks with multiple firms and plans to announce related collaborations by the end of 2026.
The US Department of Commerce has announced preliminary affirmative determinations in its countervailing duty investigations into crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from India, Indonesia, and Laos, setting proposed subsidy rates that could significantly raise import costs if finalized.
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