Xiaomi's second-generation in-house mobile processor, the Xring O2, will skip TSMC's 2nm process and instead use the company's 3nm N3P node, underscoring a trade-off between performance, cost, and supply availability. The choice also suggests the chip may not power Xiaomi's most premium flagship smartphones.
Taiwanese power semiconductor companies, including Taiwan Semiconductor Company (TSC), Panjit International, and Eris Tech, have recently disclosed their 2025 revenue results, anticipating benefits from order shifts driven by Nexperia. Market analysts project that these effects will take full shape in the first quarter of 2026. Concurrently, these firms are developing power management products to enter the growing AI server market, driven by rising demand for higher power density in AI data centers.
The US White House has formally announced a 25% import tariff on semiconductors under Section 232, while outlining multiple exemption mechanisms that could mitigate the impact on key suppliers. Against this backdrop, a high-level Taiwanese delegation is in Washington for a new round of trade negotiations aimed at safeguarding Taiwan's semiconductor sector and its role in the global, AI-driven supply chain.
Taiwan's semiconductor test solution providers are poised for strong growth in 2025, driven by rising demand for AI, HPC, and ASICs. With wafer foundries and OSAT providers expanding capacity, firms like MPI Corp., WinWay Technology, Chunghwa Precision Test Tech., Keystone Microtech, and Hermes Testing Solutions have reported record annual revenues, highlighting the sector's robust momentum.
Record profits. Soaring margins. Relentless demand. TSMC's January 15, 2026, earnings call painted a picture of semiconductor dominance so complete it seems almost untouchable. Almost.
Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology has decided to establish a national center for semiconductor chip prototyping, a move aimed at developing high-quality human resources and supporting businesses in one of the country's fastest-growing technology sectors.
According to Business Insider, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and founder of xAI, recently highlighted China's dominant position in AI computing power during a podcast, warning that the country will far surpass others globally in supporting AI operations.
The US and Taiwan reached a trade agreement on January 15, 2026 (US time), cutting reciprocal tariffs on most Taiwanese goods from 20% to 15% without stacking them onto existing most-favored-nation rates. Taiwan's Executive Yuan said semiconductors and related products will receive the most favorable treatment under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. The pact also includes commitments on supply-chain investment and strategic cooperation in artificial intelligence.
Taiwan's Executive Yuan announced early Thursday that it had secured preferential tariff treatment from the United States on semiconductors and related products, marking a significant breakthrough in bilateral trade negotiations amid intensifying geopolitical and supply-chain pressures.
At its earnings call on January 15, 2026, TSMC signaled that its capital expenditures for 2026 will increase to US$52-56 billion, far exceeding market expectations. On top of demand for new capacity buildouts, the company also emphasized during the call that development costs for each new advanced process node have risen significantly compared to the previous generation. While TSMC stressed that it will not adopt opportunistic price hikes, it will continue to insist on earning the appropriate value for its technology.
The United States and Taiwan formalized a significant trade and investment agreement on January 15, 2026, establishing a new framework for bilateral economic relations.
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