IQE, a British manufacturer of compound semiconductor wafers and materials solutions, will proceed with its plan to list its Taiwan subsidiary in 2025, despite considering a potential sale of the local operations, according to an unnamed executive.

President-elect Donald Trump's proposed 10–20% tariff on all US imports, including those from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, has prompted Taiwan's government to prepare negotiations for exemptions based on its semiconductor and AI industry advantages, according to National Development Council (NDC) deputy minister Shien-quey Kao.

Reports from Kyodo and Nikkei indicate that the Japanese government intends to invest around JPY200 billion (approx. US$1.3 billion) in Rapidus during the fiscal year 2025, spanning from April 2025 to March 2026. This investment aims to bolster the development of advanced semiconductor mass production capabilities in Japan. Additionally, by providing government support, the initiative seeks to encourage private-sector financing and investments in Rapidus.

TSMC is strategically developing a dedicated supply chain cluster on 30 hectares (300,000 square meters) of land in Southern Taiwan Science Park (STSP) to strengthen its advanced packaging capabilities, according to industry sources familiar with the discrete strategic move.

The Biden administration has finalized Chips Act incentives for GlobalFoundries (GF), awarding the chipmaker US$1.5 billion in grants to support US factories as part of a broader semiconductor push.

China's semiconductor industry is intensifying its drive toward self-sufficiency through expanded state funding and domestic innovation, particularly as Donald Trump's return to the White House approaches. At the 2024 China International Semiconductor Expo (IC China), industry leaders and government officials highlighted the nation's progress in strengthening its semiconductor capabilities.

President-elect Donald Trump has suggested implementing tariffs to address various economic issues, though the specifics of these policies remain uncertain until key appointments, including the US Trade Representative and Secretary of the Treasury, are confirmed. Nevertheless, industry experts are already analyzing the potential impact of such tariff strategies on the semiconductor industry.

Rohm Semiconductor is grappling with a significant slowdown in the electric vehicle (EV) market, leading to reduced semiconductor demand and an unexpected financial loss.

China's presence in the world of supercomputing has diminished significantly, according to the latest Top500 list. The number of Chinese systems on the prestigious ranking dropped to 62 from 134 in June 2023, marking a dramatic decline that coincides with the US Department of Commerce's decision to blacklist Inspur, a major Chinese supercomputer manufacturer, in March 2023.

Malaysia's semiconductor industry is experiencing a significant talent drain despite substantial investments and training initiatives. The sector faces particular challenges in retaining high-level expertise, prompting government intervention through training programs while grappling with broader labor market issues.

Trump's anticipated return to the White House could reignite global trade tensions, leaving US trade partners and businesses uncertain about potential new tariff measures. While the legal framework for implementing additional tariffs remains subject to debate, Trump maintains access to various legislative tools, including trade laws dating back to the 1960s.

TSMC could be compelled to shift its most advanced manufacturing processes to Arizona amid renewed US focus on domestic chip production. Taiwan's Economic Affairs Minister J.W. Kuo underscored that such relocations are complex, as advanced processes must first achieve mass production in Taiwan before moving abroad. TSMC must also secure Taiwanese regulatory approval for any overseas deployment of cutting-edge technology.

According to a recent press release, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) and the Semiconductor Research Corporation Manufacturing Consortium Corporation (SRC) are entering negotiations for the DOC to provide SRC US$285 million to establish and operate a Manufacturing USA institute in Durham, North Carolina. This investment will support the launch of the first CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute with a total combined funding of US$1 billion.

Taiwanese semiconductor equipment manufacturers working with TSMC are benefiting significantly from its orders, with eight of them reporting gross margins of 40-60% in the second and third quarters of 2024.

Huawei's ambitions to create more powerful chips for AI and smartphones have hit major snags because of US sanctions, stalling a major Chinese effort to match American technology.

Hong Kong-based graphics card manufacturer PC Partner has strategically relocated its headquarters to Singapore to navigate US export controls on chips to China. The company has also planned to move its graphics card production lines to Indonesia, positioning itself to launch future Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 products while maintaining compliance with US Department of Commerce regulations.

SK Hynix has revealed plans to establish a new company in Indiana through its third quarter 2024 business report, marking a significant step toward building a semiconductor packaging production base. The move is drawing attention to potential synergies with TSMC and Nvidia in creating a comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) chip ecosystem in the US.

Wolfspeed's board has announced the dismissal of CEO Gregg Lowe, effective at the end of November. Lowe, who has led the semiconductor company since 2017, will be replaced by Board Chair Thomas Werner on an interim basis as the company searches for a new CEO.

Amid Germany's political upheaval ahead of its February 2025 federal elections, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has intensified tensions by denouncing the country's centrist and leftist leaders as "fools." His criticism particularly targeted Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, who has been actively working to secure investments from major semiconductor manufacturers TSMC and Intel.

Amid escalating US-China tensions, multinational companies are increasingly shifting their semiconductor testing and packaging operations to Vietnam, supported by local companies actively seeking investment partnerships.

UK-based epitaxial wafer and substrate provider IQE has reported that the overall market recovery is weaker than anticipated. As a result, the company expects its revenue for 2024 to remain flat compared to 2023. IQE also announced a strategic review of its assets, including the possibility of divesting its operations in Taiwan.

Trump's return to the presidency has drawn significant attention, with his potential appointments already creating waves across the global tech industry. The impact has extended to currency markets as monetary policy tensions between Trump and the Federal Reserve emerged. Bitcoin, known for its sensitivity to market shifts, surged by more than 15%, reaching an all-time high.

Nan Pao Resins Chemical Group, a Taiwan-based hot melt adhesives manufacturer, has been targeting record-high revenues in 2024 and is aiming for high single-digit revenue growth in 2025. Growth is being driven by promising prospects for its three main product lines, as well as benefits from acquisitions and new plant operations.

Driven by rising demand for chip-on-wafer-on-substrate (CoWoS) and other advanced packaging equipment, Taiwan-based semiconductor automation and wet process equipment maker Grand Process Technology (GPTC) anticipates strong orders from TSMC, ASE Technology Holding, and overseas clients. Market observers expect wet process machine shipments to double in 2025.

According to a press release, on November 18, Samsung Electronics held a tool-in ceremony for its new semiconductor research and development complex (NRD-K) at its Giheung campus, which will house ASML's high-NA EUV system.