After his second election as President of the United States, Trump has fully unleashed his destructive power on the global economic order. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba described the current situation as a "national crisis.
The trade conflict between the US and China has intensified, with the US recently announcing an increase in tariffs on Chinese goods to 125%. This move is seen as a reaffirmation of US President Donald Trump's hardline trade stance and pushes the global trade war to new heights. The two major powers are now akin to being in a game of chicken, with both sides nearing a breaking point
What we see today with OpenAI and DeepSeek are just the foundational infrastructures and rule-makers of the early investment stage. The current investments are made to secure industry leadership and control in the next phase. For nations, this also involves issues of "sovereignty.
Compared to the wafer fabrication industry, which is highly restricted by equipment limitations, China's IC design sector—based on the opportunities within its domestic market—appears to have a more optimistic outlook. According to DIGITIMES, the output value of China's IC design industry reached US$35.8 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to US$73.2 billion by 2030, achieving double-digit annual growth. From autonomous driving chips to electronic design automation (EDA) tools, China aims to cover all aspects of the semiconductor industry and cultivate domestic leaders in each field. Huawei's HiSilicon, Cambricon (AI accelerators), Horizon Robotics (ADAS), and Silergy (often referred to as "China's Texas Instruments") all play key roles in this ecosystem
US President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping new tariff regime. Among the hardest hit are Cambodia and Vietnam, with tariffs of 49% and 45%, respectively, while Thailand and China will face 36% and 34%. Taiwan and Indonesia will see 32% tariffs. The aggressive move has triggered international criticism and rattled global supply chains
As Donald Trump ramps up his tariff-heavy trade agenda in a bid to bring manufacturing back to US soil, Taiwan's tech and manufacturing sectors are bracing for impact—again. From auto parts to semiconductors and servers to smartphones, a sweeping new set of tariffs threatens to unravel years of global supply chain planning
For nearly 50 years, Intel remained committed to its integrated device manufacturing (IDM) model. From its founding CEO Robert Noyce to Paul Otellini, the company prioritized in-house chip design and production while building the globally recognized "Intel Inside" brand. That strategy held until 2013, when then-CEO Brian Krzanich began cautiously exploring the contract chipmaking business
Generative AI is redrawing the tech landscape—from cloud to edge—while geopolitical tensions push countries to rethink their semiconductor strategies. As Taiwan, led by TSMC, navigates a shifting global order, the question is no longer whether it can lead but how it must evolve to stay ahead
Supply chain operators worldwide are carefully navigating the impact of President Trump's sweeping tariff policies, which have rapidly reshaped global trade dynamics since his January inauguration. From initial adjustments affecting Mexico and Canada to recent reciprocal tariff measures, companies are strategizing optimal responses amid ongoing uncertainty
The US is the world's largest economy, and following Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2025, there have been significant changes across various policies, including trade, domestic affairs, foreign relations, and research funding. Even during Joe Biden's administration, Taiwanese companies were compelled to take sides due to the US's efforts to contain China's technological development. The proportion of Taiwan's investment in China has dropped from 83.8% in 2010 to just 8% by 2024, with little chance of reversal in the coming years
Just when the global supply chain thought it had a breather, US President Donald Trump's administration is stoking renewed tensions with China by threatening sweeping new tariffs. Beijing has retaliated with equal force, rolling out a 34% "reciprocal tariff" package. Strategic sectors—including semiconductors and pharmaceuticals—may soon be in the crosshairs
On April 3, 2025, the United States announced a 34% "reciprocal tariff" on Chinese goods. The next day, China retaliated with a 34% punitive tariff, marking the most significant escalation in the trade war between the two nations since their economic tensions began in 2018. This move has drawn global attention, signaling that the economic battle between China and the US has expanded beyond traditional trade disputes into full-scale confrontations over technology and supply chains
Over the past fifty years, China has driven its national progress through two key forces: economic growth and nationalism. Its rapid economic expansion has not only reshaped Chinese society but also played a crucial role in global economic development. Between 2009 and 2019, the world's total GDP grew from US$61 trillion to US$88 trillion, with China contributing a third of that US$27 trillion increase. This era was both China's "golden decade" and a time when the international community heavily relied on its economic engine
Microsoft has experienced significant momentum in the past two years due to GenAI, but recent signals indicate a shift towards cautiousness. Despite previously emphasizing urgent demand for data centers at the end of 2024, Microsoft has reportedly canceled leases for some data centers in the US and Europe since the first quarter of 2025
Media reports suggest that US shipbuilding output is merely 1/200th of China's, allowing China to expand its navy at an astonishing rate. In fact, the total number of Chinese warships has already surpassed that of the US Navy. Now, Trump is advocating for regaining control of the Panama Canal and imposing higher transit fees on Chinese-built ships—an aggressive move that directly targets a critical vulnerability in China's shipbuilding industry. While Trump's approach seeks to revive American manufacturing through drastic measures, the real challenge lies in the prevailing mindset of Americans, who are generally reluctant to enter the manufacturing sector
