As the US unleashes a sweeping new wave of global tariffs, speculation is swirling over whether Taiwanese IC design houses will lose ground to American rivals benefiting from tariff exemptions. However, insiders caution that the narrative of Taiwanese firms "losing orders" may not hold up under scrutiny.

Nanya Technology, a memory manufacturer, reported a net loss of NT$1.941 billion (approx. US$60 million) in the first quarter of 2025, marking an expansion compared to the previous quarter and reflecting ten consecutive quarters of losses. However, with the ongoing improvement in DRAM supply and demand conditions in the second quarter, contract prices have stopped declining and are beginning to recover. Nanya General Manager Pei-ying Li believes that gross margins are likely to turn positive.

The escalating US-China tariff conflict, now featuring tariffs exceeding 100%, is significantly impacting global tech supply chains, particularly in the semiconductor sector. This has disrupted chip procurement and pricing, especially in China's key electronics hub, Huaqiangbei, Shenzhen.

The Trump administration's evolving tariff policies are causing market uncertainty. Fluctuating tariffs pose risks to economic growth and investment, fueling fears of a downturn. Despite this, industries must stay alert. Given the unpredictability of US tariff changes, businesses should continuously monitor developments and strategically plan to maintain stability.

Rumors from India indicate Foxconn is exploring setting up manufacturing facilities in Greater Noida, which would likely become the company's first production base in northern India, as the global electronics manufacturing ecosystem faces uncertainties due to US tariff policies.

Electric vehicles are naturally ideal platforms for testing AI technologies. At the same time, the robotics industry is moving beyond 2D control systems into 3D, 4D, and more complex dimensions. The real shift, however, lies in business model innovation, not just technical advancement. Lei Zhang, founder of Hillhouse Investment, highlights this evolution, calling China "not only a leader in technological innovation, but a global powerhouse in business model innovation." A new wave of Chinese entrepreneurs is capturing global attention.

South Korea's top telecom carriers, KT Corp. and SK Telecom (SKT), are accelerating their AI infrastructure investments by adopting Nvidia's latest Blackwell GPUs across their GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) platforms and data centers—deepening the race to lead in AI transformation (AX).

According to GSMArena, Acer is set to reassert its presence in India's smartphone market, launching three new handsets on April 15. The company has teased one of the upcoming models, which will feature a 64MP Sony sensor, along with an ultrawide lens and a macro camera—signaling a focus on photography, particularly in low-light conditions.

India is assessing Chinese telecom equipment within its networks amid US-China trade tensions, citing national security concerns. While 4G infrastructure utilizes Huawei and ZTE technology, India has restricted new contracts and 5G involvement, reflecting broader caution toward Chinese foreign investments.

BYD recently introduced a new 1,000V high-voltage and megawatt-level charging platform. The technology, unveiled in mid-March, claims to provide up to 400 kilometers of driving range with just five minutes of charging for its updated Han L and Tang L models. This breakthrough signals BYD's ambition to significantly accelerate EV charging speeds, aiming for parity with the refueling times of conventional gasoline vehicles.

Auto Shanghai 2025, running from April 23 to May 2, is set to become a critical arena for global automakers. Chinese brands are poised to dominate the spotlight, while European manufacturers—reeling from sluggish sales in China—see the event as a crucial opportunity to reset and reengage.

Chinese battery-making giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. reported a 33% jump in first-quarter earnings, defying a slowdown in demand for electric vehicles and a drop in the prices of the cells that power them.

AUO is underscoring its dedication to sustainable transformation at the 2025 Touch Taiwan exhibition. Making its fifth appearance in the "Net Zero Carbon Emission and New Energy Zone," AUO is presenting innovations under the theme "Beyond ESG, Partnering for Green Solution." The focus is on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and circular economy practices.

Taiwan-based construction company San-Ti Group has achieved significant results for its diversification into the local energy market, with its subsidiaries, North-Star International and Santi Renewable Energy, benefiting from the rising popularity of vehicle electrification. As Taiwan increases investments in the AI and semiconductor sectors, the San-Ti Group is optimistic about industrial electricity demand.

In contrast to tariffs specifically aimed at sectors such as the automotive and semiconductor industries, US President Donald Trump's "reciprocal tariff" approach has instigated a broad and sweeping impact across global markets. Taiwanese manufacturers, who traditionally maintained limited engagement with the US market, have unexpectedly been caught in the crossfire. This policy has significantly affected Taiwan, jeopardizing its established solar industry, ongoing challenges, and future opportunities.

Taiwan's ambition to build its own low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites for strategic autonomy is hitting roadblocks, with experts questioning the feasibility of a small-scale, isolated system. Meanwhile, Foxconn, the island's tech giant, is quietly advancing its role in the global LEO ecosystem, supplying user terminals (UTs) to major players like Eutelsat OneWeb and exploring applications from maritime to autonomous vehicles.

Taiwan's aerospace industry is positioning itself to compete globally through investments in advanced manufacturing technologies, particularly in high-end processing of aviation materials. This development occurs as Taiwan's aerospace supply chain remains unaffected by equivalent tariffs for now, though the industry is focused on long-term readiness for global supply chain shifts.

Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. (AIDC) is approaching the final stages of its current domestic aircraft development initiatives, with its chairman, Hu Kai-Hung, noting that 2026 is anticipated to be a particularly challenging year. Despite this, AIDC's recent operational forecast indicates strong performance in its military sector. This includes a surge in aircraft maintenance contracts and substantial investments in drone countermeasure technologies, which are scheduled for launch in June.

Innolux is intensifying its focus on Micro LED and Mini LED technologies, showcasing advanced displays at Touch Taiwan 2025. The company presented third-generation AM Micro LED displays, featuring the first high-PPI, spliced mirror designs with 2,000 nits brightness, NTSC 114% color gamut, and high reflectivity. These innovations aim to address color and brightness issues in traditional displays, catering to smart cockpit and retail applications.

Ennostar showcased its latest advancements in optoelectronic semiconductor technology at the 2025 Touch Taiwan exhibition, introducing a new strategic direction focused on a "dual value engine." The company highlighted innovative applications under the theme "3+1"—covering automotive, advanced display, smart sensing, and AI optical communication—to redefine user experiences across various industries.