The Trump administration has officially reduced the tariff rate on passenger cars imported from Japan from 27.5% to 15%, effective from 12:01 a.m. on September 16, 2025 (1:01 p.m. Japan time), according to documents released by the US Department of Commerce. However, ambiguity remains over whether Japan's semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries will receive most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment under the agreement

AI-powered smart glasses are gaining momentum, yet analysts expect Meta to dominate the market until at least 2027, as Apple and Google's competing devices remain in development. Industry executives say Taiwanese firms must enhance vertical integration and reinforce supply chain strengths to secure business in markets beyond China

China's technology industry is witnessing a surge in demand for domestic production and automation equipment, driven by broad environmental trends. The development pace differs across regions, reflecting local industrial ecosystems, with the emerging "low-altitude economy" gaining recognition as a vital sector for future growth

South Korea's information and communications technology (ICT) exports in August 2025 reached a record high for the period compared to previous years. Due to rising memory semiconductor prices and increased investment in artificial intelligence server infrastructure, semiconductor export values also reached an all-time high

Chinese display manufacturers are significantly increasing investments in 8.6G OLED panels for IT applications. These investments, set to accelerate from the second half of 2025 through 2026, are expected to revitalize related upstream equipment industries. Major Chinese firms such as BOE, Visionox Technology, and TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology (TCL CSOT) are preparing new production lines designed for medium to large-sized IT panels, including notebooks and tablets. These expansions signal higher demand for sophisticated equipment, benefiting Korean suppliers like Sunic System

The US–China semiconductor dispute has entered a new phase of escalation, with the US Department of Commerce adding 23 Chinese entities to its Entity List, including 13 semiconductor firms spanning Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Wuxi, and Changsha. The sweeping action underscores Washington's strategic focus on both technology controls and broad regional reach across China's chip ecosystem

Power semiconductors, particularly silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), emerged as key themes at SEMICON Taiwan 2025. The toughest competition was in SiC equipment, with Chinese, US, and Japanese suppliers all aggressively fighting for market share

The US and China have outlined a framework deal to resolve disputes over TikTok's US operations, officials said after trade talks in Madrid. The agreement marks progress toward easing tensions but faces hurdles over algorithm ownership, compliance with US law, and approval from both governments

Samsung's ambitious US expansion faces an unexpected obstacle that could derail its 2026 production timeline. A mounting visa crisis, triggered by immigration raids on South Korean workers, is creating ripple effects across the semiconductor industry's most critical supply chains

A new phase in the global race for silicon carbide (SiC) dominance is unfolding—one shaped as much by geopolitics as by market forces. As Chinese manufacturers make rapid strides in low-cost SiC wafer production, the strategic consensus around this next-generation semiconductor material is beginning to fracture

On September 10, 2025, HiSilicon, a subsidiary of Huawei, completed significant personnel changes in its business registration—Eric Xu stepped down as chairman and legal representative, succeeded by Jeffrey Gao; the board's senior management was also adjusted

Since Huawei established Shenzhen HiSilicon Semiconductor in 2004, its semiconductor business has supported over two decades of development and innovation within Huawei's product ecosystem. However, from 2000 to 2003, Huawei faced one of its most challenging periods and nearly became a US company. CEO Ren Zhengfei confirmed this long-rumored episode during an interview

Jun Otani, executive vice president of Kumamoto University, highlighted the university's 268-year history during a Taiwan-Japan semiconductor supply chain talent forum. Following JASM's establishment of a fabrication plant in Kumamoto, the university has shifted its educational focus to keep pace with rapid changes in high technology

The 2025 SEMI-e Shenzhen International Semiconductor Exhibition and the Integrated Circuit Innovation Expo have concluded. The twin events drew a significant crowd, with 43,986 professional visitors in attendance. A total of 1,062 exhibitors displayed their latest technologies, underscoring the event's importance to the global semiconductor sector