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Friday 9 May 2025
WT Microelectronics sees minimal impact from US tariffs as semiconductor market rebounds in 2Q25
WT Microelectronics, a Taiwan-based IC distributor, reports that the impact of US tariffs on its operations remains minimal, as most components are exempt from such duties. WT Microelectronics chairman Eric Cheng notes that while certain sectors like smartphones, PCs, and servers have experienced accelerated inventory replenishment due to tariffs, the overall semiconductor industry is unmistakably emerging from its trough in the second quarter of 2025.
Friday 9 May 2025
Lee Jae-Yong's 10-year smart M&A strategy builds Samsung's technology ecosystem
Over the past decade, Samsung Electronics executive chairman Lee Jae-Yong has leveraged global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to transform Samsung into a "technology-first" company. Rather than pursuing large-scale deals, Lee has focused on strategic acquisitions that strengthen core technologies. These efforts have laid the foundation for Samsung's competitiveness in semiconductors, automotive electronics, AI, and display sectors.
Friday 9 May 2025
Ford cuts electric vehicle investment as losses outpace tariff risks

In a dramatic move reflecting the mounting challenges of the electric vehicle transition, Ford Motor Company has halted development of its FNV4 electrical and software architecture, citing ballooning losses and growing concerns over potential tariff impacts under a possible second Trump administration.

Friday 9 May 2025
BMW predicts US auto tariff increases will be temporary
Due to the uncertainties caused by US President Donald Trump's tariffs on cars and components, many European and American automakers have withdrawn their 2025 sales and financial forecasts, with BMW being one of the few exceptions.
Friday 9 May 2025
EOI navigates currency and tariff headwinds, eyes long-term growth
As tariff uncertainties and sharp foreign exchange swings reshape the global automotive supply chain, Taiwanese LED car lighting module manufacturer Excellence Opto (EOI) is facing heightened operational challenges.
Thursday 8 May 2025
Tariffs rock auto sector, but Nuvoton sees swift recovery amid demand surge
The global automotive industry faced significant disruption in the first quarter of 2025, impacted by US tariffs that reverberated throughout supply chains. Despite this turbulence, microcontroller unit (MCU) manufacturer Nuvoton Technology reported early signs of stabilization. Several clients have begun restocking inventories, suggesting a gradual recovery in the sector. Beyond automotive applications, Nuvoton capitalized on tariff-driven demand increases in computing and consumer applications, with clients accelerating orders. This strategic shift helped the chipmaker return to profitability, marking a notable comeback.
Thursday 8 May 2025
FX volatility unsettles small and medium automotive parts suppliers in Taiwan
Recent fluctuations in the New Taiwan Dollar exchange rate have created uncertainty across markets and supply chains, with small and medium-sized automotive parts manufacturers acknowledging their lack of operational flexibility.
Wednesday 7 May 2025
EU eyes EUR100 billion of US goods with tariffs if talks fail
The European Union plans to hit about EUR100 billion (approx. US$113 billion) in US goods with additional tariffs in the event ongoing trade talks fail to yield a satisfactory result for the bloc, according to people familiar with the matter.
Wednesday 7 May 2025
Tesla deepens China supply chain ties as 95% of Model Y parts are sourced locally
Tesla announced on May 6 that more than 95% of the parts used in every Model 3 and revamped Model Y produced at its Shanghai Gigafactory are sourced domestically, underscoring the high level of localization in its China supply chain.
Tuesday 6 May 2025
Tariff sleight of hand: Auto sector calls bluff on Trump's parts 'exemption'
Just ahead of the May 3, 2025 rollout of a 25% auto parts tariff, US President Donald Trump announced a narrow exemption for select components. The move eliminated layered duties in favor of a streamlined 25% rate on all vehicles and parts. Industry insiders, however, see the gesture as more tactical than generous, describing it as a calculated squeeze on global supply chains.
Tuesday 6 May 2025
Rare earth prices surge 210%: EV, robotics, defense supply chains on the line
As China imposed export controls on seven critical medium and heavy rare earth elements in early April, a buying frenzy has gripped the international rare earth market. Within a month, prices for terbium and dysprosium have more than doubled, marking the steepest monthly surge in nearly a decade. The fallout is global. Analysts say the price spike is adding new fuel to US-China trade tensions and raising alarms for manufacturers of electric vehicles, robotics, and military equipment. Industry experts warn that the long-term stability of these supply chains is now at risk, as companies scramble to secure the raw materials critical for next-generation technology.
Monday 5 May 2025
Trump eases auto tariff impact for North American-made vehicles
On April 3, 2025, the White House announced a sweeping new 25% tariff on imported automobiles and auto parts. Less than a month later, on April 29, President Donald Trump signed an executive order refining the policy to ease its immediate impact. The order targets two key areas: avoiding the compounding of multiple tariffs, and exempting vehicles assembled in the US from the new duties if at least 85% of their parts originate from the US or USMCA trade partners (Canada and Mexico).
Friday 2 May 2025
Wellysun emphasizes limited tariff impact as end customers do not export to North America
Regarding the recent China-US tariff policies affecting automotive components, Wellysun, a company specializing in the research and development, manufacturing, and sales of customized automotive electronic control modules, stated that the tariff policies have had limited overall operational impact since their end products are not exported to the US.
Friday 2 May 2025
Trump adds small tariff exemption window as auto parts levies take effect
President Donald Trump's administration has created a limited exemption pathway for automotive tariffs set to take effect May 3, 2025, offering modest relief to the industry despite a still-complex compliance process.
Friday 2 May 2025
Is the early pull-in effect ending? Taiwan electronics industry outlook downgraded to green light
Supermicro announced this week a downward revision of its revenue and profit forecasts. The question remains whether this is due to disruptive innovation driven by DeepSeek or if the pull-in demand wave triggered by Trump's tariff policies has ended prematurely. The Taiwan Institute of Economic Research's (TIER) manufacturing business climate indicators also show that while opportunities in high-performance computing and AI applications remain strong, key metrics such as order intake, production, and shipments have declined, warranting close attention going forward.
Friday 2 May 2025
US auto tariffs backfire: supply chains prioritize cash management
The US will implement automotive parts tariffs starting on May 3rd, 2025, although President Donald Trump recently offered limited exemptions for certain vehicles and components. However, these tariffs have largely acted like a boomerang, especially with retaliatory measures from China and Canada remaining steadfast despite Trump's small-scale exemptions.
Wednesday 30 April 2025
US targets Japan over EV charging standards in tariff clash
As tariff negotiations between the US and Japan intensify, Washington has turned a critical eye toward Japan's electric vehicle (EV) charging standards, identifying the country's CHAdeMO protocol as a significant non-tariff barrier. American officials have voiced frustration that Tesla's and other US automakers' charging systems are excluded from Japanese government subsidies, a point expected to take center stage in the upcoming second round of ministerial-level trade talks.
Wednesday 30 April 2025
Taiwan’s Mastertrans readies fast-charging intercity e-bus
Since 2015, Mastertrans has focused on electric vehicle R&D. At the 360° MOBILITY Mega Shows, they presented a fully autonomous vehicle supply chain, including essential components like chassis, battery pack, and vehicle control systems. The company plans to debut its first electric intercity bus in the second quarter of 2025.
Wednesday 30 April 2025
Megawatts and microgrids: Delta’s next play
As vehicle electrification gains momentum, comprehensive solution providers are becoming pivotal to the EV supply chain. At the 2035 E-Mobility Taiwan show—held in 2025 despite its forward-looking title—Delta Electronics presented a broad suite of solutions under the theme "e-Charging Hub."
Tuesday 29 April 2025
Automotive supply chains favor Japanese brands for orders with higher margins
Nissan reportedly plans to close its Wuhan plant in China, reflecting Japanese car brands' rapid decline in the Chinese automobile market. However, the automotive supply chain still favors Japanese brands because of the higher gross profit margins associated with their orders, according to industry sources.
Tuesday 29 April 2025
How Hesai's cost cuts and key partnerships fuel 4x LiDAR growth in 2025
Hesai Technology, the leading LiDAR manufacturer in China, is planning a fourfold increase in its production capacity by 2025 to address the rapidly growing demand for automotive advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
Monday 28 April 2025
Chinese export curb on rare earths sparks concerns for EV motor suppliers
China's export restrictions on rare earth minerals have raised concerns within the automotive industries of Europe and Japan while also prompting heightened vigilance in Taiwan's electric vehicle supply chain.
Monday 28 April 2025
Kemflo sees strong growth across core sectors, eyes expansion in the automotive market

Kemflo Group, a leading player in the water purification, metal products, and industrial water treatment sectors, is on track for a record-breaking 2024. The company's core product lines are showing impressive growth, with metal products and water purification driving significant revenue gains. Furthermore, automotive equipment applications are emerging as a promising new growth avenue for Kemflo's metal business.

Sunday 27 April 2025
Shanghai Auto Show 2025: China’s supply chain takes center stage
The 2025 Shanghai Auto Show has commenced amid escalating global trade tensions, as newly imposed US tariffs pose significant challenges to China's automotive industry. Once a straightforward showcase for domestic brands, the exhibition has evolved into a critical vantage point for observing how China's auto supply chain is adapting and seeking new avenues for growth in an increasingly adverse environment.
Friday 25 April 2025
China's weaponizing of raw materials in tariff war could cripple US EV supply chain
US President Donald Trump has imposed several tariffs since taking office, resulting in retaliatory actions from several countries. The response from China has garnered the most attention, especially its export restrictions on key industrial raw materials, rare earth minerals, and magnets, which could significantly impact the fledgling electric vehicle (EV) supply chain in the US.