The second volume of TSMC founder Morris Chang's autobiography was released on November 29, with an official book launch event held on December 9. In his book, Chang elaborates on the long-standing competitive relationship between TSMC and Intel.
The Taiwan Electronic Equipment Industry Association (TEEIA) released its 2025 white paper on December 6, 2024, outlining strategic recommendations for the government as Taiwan's semiconductor supply chain continues its global expansion. TEEIA executive director and white paper convener, Sheng-fa Yeh, emphasized that while the upcoming Trump presidency may cause initial market disruptions, it could ultimately benefit Taiwan's semiconductor industry.
Huawei's Mate 70 smartphone utilizes a specialized CIS from Spectricity to improve color accuracy, especially for its RYYB sensor. While this solution enhances color reproduction, it is costly. The Mate 70's strong sales and increased production demonstrate its popularity and Huawei's ability to innovate despite supply chain constraints.
India's semiconductor imports have continued to rise as the nation works to establish its electronics manufacturing supply chain. This increase in chip imports is accompanied by a growing reliance on China. To reduce dependency and mitigate potential risks, India has launched various initiatives aimed at diversifying its supply sources.
Japanese semiconductor distributors are strengthening their foothold in China through strategic partnerships and acquisitions to navigate the complexities of US-China trade tensions, particularly in meeting the growing demand for mature process chips in the automotive sector.
The European Union is tightening its subsidy rules for green hydrogen production, effectively barring products with substantial Chinese involvement. The move reflects lessons learned from past challenges with Chinese competition, particularly in the solar energy sector, and aligns with strategies adopted by the US and Japan to counter Beijing's industrial dominance.
Donald Trump once proposed a 60% tariff on products imported from China but later reduced it to 10% to avoid an overly aggressive trade conflict. However, his announcement of a 25% tariff on partners Canada and Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has already provoked a strong backlash from both countries' leaders, who are prepared to retaliate.
The Chinese semiconductor industry is making strides in building an advanced local supply chain for packaging and testing, despite the US government's export controls targeting advanced processes and the AI sector.
Intel finds itself in a precarious situation as the global supply chain, particularly among Taiwanese manufacturers, continues to struggle without viable solutions. Similarly, Samsung Electronics' foundry business remains a potential crisis point.
Fujifilm is expanding its chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) polishing agent production in Japan to meet the rising demand for AI chips in Asia. This expansion will increase production by 30% and cater to major clients like TSMC. Fujifilm is also investing in other semiconductor materials, including EUV photoresists and color filter materials, to strengthen its position in the semiconductor industry.
The Biden administration has unveiled the largest and most extensive list of chip sanctions against China to date, primarily targeting Chinese semiconductor equipment and materials manufacturers. However, the anticipated impact on the industry appears less severe than previously estimated due to Chinese enterprises focusing on localization for the past four to five years.
NXP Semiconductors leads European expansion into China's semiconductor market, with executive vice president Andy Micallef outlining the company's plans to develop a supply chain in the region, citing China's position as the world's largest market for electric vehicles and telecommunications.
Rapidus is underway with the construction of a wafer fab in Chitose City, Hokkaido. The company aims to commence trial production of 2nm chips by April 2025 and anticipates scaling to mass production by 2027. Unlike semiconductor hub Kyushu, home to TSMC's operations, Hokkaido's lack of semiconductor infrastructure presents unique logistical challenges.
NXP Semiconductors is taking steps to strengthen its foothold in India with a substantial investment commitment that underscores the country's burgeoning status as a technological powerhouse. The company plans to inject over US$1 billion into India, focusing significantly on enhancing research and development capabilities. A considerable portion of this investment is set to benefit Karnataka, a southern state that is quickly becoming a magnet for technological investment and innovation.
The semiconductor industry's recovery continues to show stark contrasts. While artificial intelligence (AI) technologies fuel growth for select manufacturers, others struggle with persistently weak demand in the industrial and automotive sectors, prompting major leadership changes.
Taiwanese equipment firm Advanced Ion Beam Technology (AIBT) is expected to be negatively impacted by the US's stringent restrictions on China, with revenue from the Chinese market expected to significantly decline in 2025, according to industry sources.
China has unveiled countermeasures following Trump's recent announcement of a 10% tariff on Chinese imports. On December 5, the Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China (MOF) released a draft proposal that would grant domestic products a 20% price evaluation advantage in government procurement, creating a significant barrier for foreign competitors in the bidding market.
Chinese semiconductor exports are projected to exceed CNY1 trillion (US$30.8 billion) in 2024, having already reached CNY931.17 billion in the first 10 months of the year.
Innolux has seen delays in mass production for FOPLP and no progress in its new LCD panel fab project in India, but company chairman Jim Hung stressed that the firm will not be deterred from forging ahead with its plans.
Intel, the embattled chipmaker seeking a new chief executive officer, added two semiconductor industry veterans to its board in a move the company said would bring "experience and operational vigor."
Following CEO Pat Gelsinger's unexpected retirement announcement, Intel has appointed CFO David Zinsner and EVP Michelle Johnston Holthaus as interim co-CEOs, marking the first time in the company's history that leadership will be shared between executives of different genders.
NXP Semiconductors maintains an optimistic outlook for the electric vehicle market, emphasizing that new entrants in the automotive manufacturing industry are driving market expansion through rapid innovation.
Indium Corporation is reinforcing its engagement with India's growing semiconductor sector by enhancing its operations and fostering relationships with local partners.
