China's sweeping export controls on lithium battery technologies — enacted in July and October 2025 — have effectively erected a "technological iron curtain" around the global electric vehicle and energy storage industries. The new restrictions cover everything from advanced cathode materials and electrolytes to key manufacturing equipment, placing strict limits on what can leave the country.
A recent survey conducted by the Smart Mobility Association Taiwan (SMAT) reveals that over 80% of Taiwanese respondents are calling for more decisive government action to promote electric scooters. The survey, released on October 20, 2025, also found that more than half of the participants believe both central and local governments lack sufficient motivation, and that current subsidies have limited effectiveness in accelerating the electrification of Taiwan's motorcycle sector.
As export restrictions tighten on Dutch chipmaker Nexperia, a key supplier of power semiconductors, global auto supply chains are feeling the strain—and competitors are moving quickly to fill the void.
Taiwanese industrial conglomerate Tatung announced on Friday that it has signed a contract to supply its second-generation 250-kilowatt (kW) electric bus powertrain systems to Tron Energy, a leading electric bus manufacturer in Taiwan. Deliveries are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026, with total shipments projected to reach 500 units.
On October 21, Texas Instruments reported stronger revenue in the third quarter of 2025, posting growth across all major end markets despite a softer outlook for the coming quarter. Revenue climbed 7% from the previous quarter and 14% from a year earlier, reflecting solid demand for analog and embedded products.
The Trump administration has enacted a dual trade policy under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, imposing tariffs on imported medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses while maintaining existing exemptions for automobiles. The tariffs aim to bolster domestic manufacturing competitiveness and reshape the US automotive supply chain.
CATL posted a 41% year-over-year rise in third quarter 2025 net profit, supported by its leading share in China's battery market and continued international expansion. The company identified energy storage systems (ESS) and new-energy commercial vehicles as its next growth pillars, underscoring a strategic pivot beyond passenger EVs.
US President Donald Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on imported medium and heavy trucks and parts, effective November 1, 2025, under Section 232 national security provisions. Buses face a 10% levy. While targeting foreign manufacturers, the tariffs will trigger cost increases across three economic stages.
China has filed a formal complaint at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against India over a series of incentive programs that Beijing says unfairly favor domestic goods over imports in the automotive and renewable energy technology sectors. The request for consultations, dated October 15, 2025, marks the latest trade friction between the two countries as they compete for dominance in green technology and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing.
In a major escalation of his trade policy, President Donald Trump announced in early October 2025 that his administration would impose a 25% tariff on imported medium and heavy-duty trucks and components, and a 10% tariff on imported buses, beginning on November 1, 2025. The move is aimed at boosting US manufacturing but has already sparked backlash from business groups and international trade partners.
Formosa Smart Energy Tech (FSET) has joined forces with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) to successfully develop lithium battery dry electrode technology, marking a major breakthrough in Taiwan's new energy materials and manufacturing sector. This achievement establishes a solid foundation for Taiwan's leadership in dry electrode innovation, with applications spanning energy storage and electric vehicle (EV) markets.
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