CONNECT WITH US
Friday 25 April 2025
Navigating ambiguity: industry adopts wait-and-see approach on US policies

As the US continues to recalibrate its trade policy toward China, Taiwanese technology suppliers find themselves caught in a state of strategic limbo, anxious over the potential implications of every twist and turn in US tariff decisions.

Thursday 24 April 2025
Samsung reportedly eyes India electronics production shift as US tariffs hit Vietnam
The US has imposed retaliatory tariffs on imports from China and Vietnam at rates of 125% and 46%, respectively. This has disrupted the supply chain strategies of major electronics manufacturers like Samsung Electronics, which has substantial production facilities in both countries. As a result, Samsung is reportedly considering shifting some of its smartphone manufacturing from Vietnam to India, following similar moves by other tech giants like Alphabet.
Thursday 24 April 2025
Apple, Meta hit by US$798 million in EU tech fines after Trump threats
Apple Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. were hit by relatively modest European Union fines totaling EUR700 million (US$798 million) for violating tough new antitrust rules for Big Tech, following warnings of harsh retaliation from US President Donald Trump.
Wednesday 23 April 2025
MediaTek could emerge as surprise winner in US-China tech tensions
US-China competition remains fierce despite tariff stalemate, with technology decoupling accelerating behind the scenes. Taiwan's MediaTek may find unexpected opportunities amid this conflict, according to market analysts.
Wednesday 23 April 2025
Alphabet reportedly redirects Pixel production from Vietnam to India amid renewed tariff disruptions
As the US imposes a 46% tariff on Vietnam and a 26% tariff on India, Alphabet executives are reportedly urging Pixel smartphone manufacturers to boost production in India. This shift from Vietnam to India supports the growing US-India trade relationship, which aims for US$500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
Tuesday 22 April 2025
Indian smartphone market sees rare slump as shipments drop 8%
India's smartphone market experienced a rare decline due to soft demand and high inventory levels. Only modest shipment growth is expected for 2025 due to the indirect impacts of US tariffs and major brands' strategic shift toward premium smartphones.
Tuesday 22 April 2025
Google paid Samsung 'enormous sums' for Gemini AI app installs
Alphabet pays Samsung Electronics an "enormous sum of money" every month to preinstall Google generative AI app, Gemini, on its phones and devices, according to court testimony, even though the company's practice of paying for installations has twice been found to violate the law.
Monday 21 April 2025
India roundup: Foxconn reportedly eyes first northern Indian plant as tariff shifts impact iPhone costs
Foxconn may build its first northern India plant in Greater Noida as tariff shifts make India-made iPhones cheaper than China-made ones in the US market.
Thursday 17 April 2025
E Ink and Readmoo debut world's first foldable color e-reader at Touch Taiwan 2025
E Ink Holdings and Readmoo have jointly unveiled the world's first foldable color e-reader, the mooInk V, at the Touch Taiwan 2025 exhibition. Featuring an 8-inch Gallery 3 color electronic paper display, the device represents a major advancement in e-reader design and foldable display technology.
Thursday 17 April 2025
Tariff exemptions spur urgent orders, but capacity and cost pressures cloud US smartphone outlook
The US's recent decision to exempt 20 categories of goods—including notebooks, smartphones, tablets, and processors—from tariffs has sparked a wave of urgent procurement among upstream manufacturers. However, the relief has done little to ease broader concerns among brand operators, who continue to grapple with rising component costs and weakening consumer demand. Industry sources warn that these pressures could lead to significant shifts in smartphone market share across North America in 2025.
Wednesday 16 April 2025
Tariff uncertainty clouds outlook for seasonal tech demand and possible oversupply
Following the US government's imposition of broad reciprocal tariffs—targeting not only China but also nations like Vietnam and Thailand—many customers initially paused procurement. Now, with a 90-day suspension period in effect, those same clients are rushing to place urgent orders, raising concerns among component suppliers that the usual seasonal demand surge may be diluted.
Tuesday 15 April 2025
Tariff U-turns reshape Samsung-Apple rivalry
US President Donald Trump's rapidly changing tariff policies—particularly his proposed reciprocal tariffs—have disrupted global electronics supply chains that took decades to build, hitting Apple's Southeast Asian network. However, when Trump postponed the application of reciprocal tariffs on countries outside China, it ironically placed Apple at a disadvantage against rivals like Samsung Electronics.
Tuesday 15 April 2025
Acer to launch three smartphones in India on April 15, eyes bigger share through local partnership
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.
Monday 14 April 2025
China-made iPhones exempt from tariffs, US Commerce Secretary hints at future taxes
On the night of April 11, Eastern Time, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the exclusion of several products from "reciprocal tariffs," including smartphones, computers, semiconductor equipment, and IC components. According to The Financial Times, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick explained the rationale behind President Trump's tariff exemptions in a recent statement on April 14.
Monday 14 April 2025
Apple was on brink of crisis before Trump tariff concession
Apple Inc. has managed to dodge its biggest crisis since the pandemic — for the moment, at least.
Monday 14 April 2025
US tariff breaks make iPhones from India 20% cheaper than China
The export of iPhones and other electronic devices from India to the US is becoming notably more cost-effective, with prices expected to be around 20% lower than those from China. This shift follows recent tariff exemptions by the US government, which will benefit manufacturers by eliminating reciprocal tariffs imposed on various electronics from China.
Monday 14 April 2025
India roundup: India capitalizes on US-China trade dispute for growth
US tariffs on global trading partners are seen as beneficial to India. Apple may increase its reliance on suppliers in India due to heightened US tariffs against China.
Saturday 12 April 2025
US announces tariff exemptions on smartphones, PCs, and servers, benefitting Apple
US Customs and Border Protection announced a series of tariff exemptions, mainly covering smartphones, PCs, servers, displays, and semiconductors. The move reflects the reality that while American brands lead the high-tech industry, they still rely on foreign components in the mid-to-upstream supply chain.
Friday 11 April 2025
Tariff impact on iPhone's production strategy
As of April 10, the latest development shows that Trump has raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%, maintaining a hardline stance. For Apple's iPhone, which still relies heavily on China as its primary production base, this is undoubtedly a critical blow. Beyond tariffs, Apple's recent lag in AI technology development is making the situation even worse for its future prospects.
Friday 11 April 2025
Apple supplier GSEO reports March revenue surge amid tariff uncertainty
Genius Electronic Optical (GSEO) has unveiled its operational results for March 2025, revealing consolidated revenue of NT$1.893 billion (US$0.06 billion). This represents a strong 36.21% rise from February's NT$1.389 billion. However, when compared to the same period last year, there is a slight decline of 3.44%. For the first quarter of 2025, the company's total revenue amounted to NT$5.321 billion, marking a modest 1.6% growth over the corresponding period in 2024.
Friday 11 April 2025
Rising US-China tensions put American consumer tech brands at risk in China

The escalating US-China trade conflict is placing consumer electronics and high-tech industries at the center of geopolitical strain. As trade barriers rise and nationalism grows, American brands such as Apple and Tesla are increasingly vulnerable in the Chinese market, facing both regulatory headwinds and shifting consumer sentiment.

Friday 11 April 2025
Apple's China suppliers struggle as G2 trade war forces costly decoupling
As the US-China trade conflict escalates once again, both countries are imposing steep tariffs on each other, pushing global supply chains into a period of heightened uncertainty. The US continues to tighten restrictions on China's tech sector, while Beijing accelerates its "de-Americanization" campaign—aimed at reducing reliance on American technology and promoting domestic alternatives. This decoupling of two major economies is reshaping trade dynamics and putting unprecedented pressure on manufacturers embedded in cross-border supply chains.
Friday 11 April 2025
Trump claims US has sufficient resources to produce iPhones; experts refute
Following China's announcement of an 84% retaliatory tariff on US imports, US President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%, effective immediately. Analysts believe this will significantly impact Apple and its supply chain.
Friday 11 April 2025
Apple and TSMC face challenges ahead of 2nm chip launch
The United States' reciprocal tariffs officially took effect on April 9, 2025. However, within 24 hours, President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension for most trading partners, during which a reduced 10% tariff would apply. The suspension excluded China. Instead, Trump raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%.
Thursday 10 April 2025
Alcatel returns to India's smartphone market with US$30 million investment and local manufacturing plans
After a decade-long absence, French smartphone maker Alcatel is returning to India, partnering with Flipkart and looking for a local manufacturing partner.