Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's largest pure-play foundry, is no stranger to technological disruption. However, its 2024 annual report reveals a growing unease not about silicon, but about sovereignty. From state subsidies to export bans, the geopolitical crosscurrents now shaping the semiconductor industry are directly impacting the company's future

Taiwanese government officials warn that the intensifying US-China rivalry is reshaping the world's economic landscape with unpredictable consequences. In response, Minister of Foreign Affairs Chia-lung Lin emphasized Taiwan's "Three-Chain strategy" to navigate these turbulent times: forging a "global democratic value chain," reinforcing the "Indo-Pacific first island chain," and cultivating a "non-red supply chain.

Major US tech firms are preparing to unveil their latest quarterly earnings, with Alphabet—Google's parent company—kicking things off on April 24, followed by Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon. Investor focus typically centers on cloud service providers' (CSPs) capex trends, AI-related revenue growth, and infrastructure supply. However, recent US tariff uncertainties have shifted attention toward how CSPs are managing supply chain risks and cost fluctuations

OpenAI has revealed plans to release an open-source AI model in the coming months, though it is still evaluating the appropriate scale for the release. The announcement comes alongside the launch of Codex CLI, an open-source development tool aimed at reinforcing OpenAI's developer ecosystem. While the move signals a growing push toward openness, the company faces two major hurdles: mitigating potential use by Chinese competitors and preserving its revenue growth trajectory

Once hailed as Asia's freest port and a gateway between China and the world, Hong Kong now finds itself increasingly swept up in the geopolitical undertow of US-China tensions. As Washington ratchets up tariffs on Chinese goods, the city, long treated as a separate economic entity, is no longer spared. The latest round of tariffs signals a deeper shift: the fading distinction between Hong Kong and the mainland in the eyes of US policymakers, raising fresh doubts about the future of "One Country, Two Systems.

Jensen Huang, the indomitable chief executive of Nvidia, recently grappled with the mercurial and formidable force of US President Donald Trump, whose unpredictability defies conventional analysis. Contrary to widespread speculation that Huang had conceded, he made a surprise visit to Beijing, highlighting the significant value of the Chinese market for Nvidia and signaling a strong intention to sustain collaboration with China

Jensen Huang's Beijing appearance in formal attire rather than his trademark leather jacket signals deeper strategic maneuvers as Nvidia navigates increasingly complex US-China tech tensions

Amid ongoing tariff disputes, the semiconductor industry is facing a severe test. In addition to the imminent semiconductor tariffs promised by US President Donald Trump, which remain somewhat ambiguous, concerns regarding whether demand for AI chips can continue to grow are rising

As Washington escalates tariff tensions, imposes new AI chip restrictions, and pressures chipmakers to invest in the US, TSMC finds itself navigating three major challenges that could redefine its global strategy

The implementation of US President Donald Trump's "reciprocal tariffs" was temporarily halted before it officially took effect, granting countries a 90-day negotiation buffer. As Trump aims to pressure manufacturers into investing in US manufacturing through tariffs, China continues to vigorously develop its brands

The past week has seen a series of twists and turns in US reciprocal tariff rates, with the latest announcement on the US Customs and Border Protection's Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) listing exemptions for 20 HTS product categories, including notebooks, smartphones, tablets, and processors. Market watchers are paying close attention to forthcoming new tariff rates for semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, and perhaps more importantly, how the US's trade war on China will develop

As US-China tariff tensions intensify, Beijing is taking aim at American-made semiconductors with new origin rules that could redraw the global chip supply map

In the competitive landscape of international politics, possessing a discreet advantage can be the decisive factor between asserting dominance and succumbing to external pressures. Nations like Ukraine, lacking a strong hand, often find themselves vulnerable to geopolitical machinations. Taiwan, balanced on this tightrope, must lean on its tech prowess as its ultimate shield

The US-China trade war is stuck in a deadlock, with both governments refusing to back down. Beijing's early defiance—vowing to "fight to the end"—gave way to silence after Washington announced tariff hikes reaching 145%, signaling a tactical recalibration by Chinese authorities

At many international conferences, China consistently sends top experts, making it difficult for Western participants from the US and New Zealand to counter their arguments. Even in private conversations, both inside and outside the conference rooms, few dare to challenge China's perspectives