President Donald Trump pledged he will still apply tariffs to phones, computers, and popular consumer electronics, downplaying a weekend exemption as a procedural step in his overall push to remake US trade.
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.
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.
According to the latest AI Index Report released by Stanford University's Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute, China is rapidly catching up with the US in developing cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) models.
China's "Xinchuan" initiative, a national endeavor to supplant foreign technology and imported products with homegrown capabilities, stands as a cornerstone of its industrial policy. However, the reality on the ground reveals a paradox. Vast stockpiles of semiconductor equipment, procured with fervor, languish unused. Absent sufficient orders, these machines remain dormant, underscoring a stark underutilization of China's ambitious investments in chip-making infrastructure.
Ennostar is developing three AI optical communication technologies—microLED, VCSEL, and CW-DFB LD—setting upgrade targets for the next few years, with microLED projected to achieve transmission speeds of 8Gbps by 2028.
Despite the machinery sector's vulnerability to global tariff hikes, plastic injection molding machine maker FCS Machinery has reported minimal exposure to new trade barriers and maintained a steady operational outlook. The company said shipments from Taiwan to North America account for less than 1% of its total revenue, and current orders are proceeding as scheduled without disruptions.
Hiroca Holdings Ltd. sees limited impact from US tariffs as it reduces China production for American market and plans expansion in Mexico, according to General Manager Chien-chung Huang.
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.
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