The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released updated tariff guidelines on the evening of April 11, setting a uniform 10% duty on major electronic products—including notebooks, smartphones, and servers. This replaces the previously proposed country-specific reciprocal tariffs. However, China remains subject to a higher rate.
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.
Yaskawa Electric has forecast an uplift in revenue and operating profit for its fiscal year 2025, spanning from March 2025 to February 2026, propelled by a moderate recovery in the semiconductor market. Despite this positive outlook, the company's expectations fall short of its initial targets set in its 2023 midterm business plan. Revenue projections have been reduced by JPY100 billion (approx. US$684.21 million), and anticipated operating profit has been decreased by JPY40 billion.
The trade conflict between the US and China has intensified, with the US recently announcing an increase in tariffs on Chinese goods to 125%. This move is seen as a reaffirmation of US President Donald Trump's hardline trade stance and pushes the global trade war to new heights. The two major powers are now akin to being in a game of chicken, with both sides nearing a breaking point.
SuperAlloy Industrial downplayed concerns over new US tariffs during a press conference, stating that direct exports to the American market represent less than 10% of its revenue. Vice President Kuan-Pin Huang noted that while the US market constitutes under 20% of overall business, many customers opt for self-pickup, further reducing direct export exposure.
As AI business opportunities continue to develop, many industry insiders admit that the current landscape remains dominated by large corporations, particularly in the chip sector. Leading companies like Nvidia and other cloud-based AI chip makers, such as those focusing on ASICs, remain the biggest winners. On the other hand, smaller chipmakers, especially those from Taiwan focusing on edge devices, have yet to experience significant momentum in the AI market.
President Trump announced a 90-day delay in implementing new tariffs for over 75 countries on April 9, 2025, just hours after the equal tariffs took effect. These countries will face only a baseline 10% tariff during this period, providing temporary relief to global supply chains.
After his second election as President of the United States, Trump has fully unleashed his destructive power on the global economic order. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba described the current situation as a "national crisis."
Taiwan's industrial sector is reeling after Donald Trump announced a 32% reciprocal tariff, with the export-oriented machinery industry in particular facing a battle for survival. As noted by the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI), some companies have already received requests from clients to postpone shipments of existing orders, as they have been caught off guard by the abrupt implementation of these tariffs.
President Donald Trump's recent tariff proposals have sent ripples through the global semiconductor industry, raising concerns about supply chain stability and prompting companies to reassess their manufacturing strategies. While semiconductors were initially exempted from the latest tariff announcements, industry leaders warn that the broader supply chain remains vulnerable, with a 90-day review period adding to the uncertainty.
The issue of reciprocal tariffs proposed by US President Donald Trump continues to escalate, affecting not only the economic and industrial development of various trade partners but also creating operational challenges for domestic companies. Taking Apple as an example, the company faces risks such as rising costs, declining sales, and potential supply chain disruptions due to relocations of components and manufacturing for its hardware products, including the iPhone. Additionally, with services now being Apple's second-largest revenue source, any barriers to service trade imposed by other countries in retaliation could further hamper Apple's operations.
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