According to a report by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, the number of Japanese companies investing in India has shown significant growth over the past decade, particularly following key government initiatives aimed at boosting local manufacturing
In early July, the US Department of Commerce issued a stark warning: using Huawei's Ascend AI chips "anywhere in the world" could be considered a violation of US export controls. The statement, though later softened, underscored Washington's growing concerns over China's expanding AI ambitions
US President Donald Trump announced a new trade agreement with Indonesia on Tuesday, establishing a 19% tariff on goods imported from the Southeast Asian nation into the United States. This rate represents a significant reduction from an earlier threat of a 32% tariff, signaling a partial de-escalation of trade tensions as the Trump administration continues to push for what it views as more favorable terms with trading partners
New tariff rates from the US government are set to take effect in August, impacting a range of countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia, all key players in Taiwan's regional trade network. Despite the broader uncertainties, Taiwan's automotive parts industry is expressing optimism, anticipating a potential surge in orders
Malaysia has steadily developed its outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT) industry, with Penang — often called the "Silicon Valley of the East" — at its core. A recent DIGITIMES visit to Penang offers a fresh view of the region's legacy OSAT giants and fast-rising newcomers
The Malaysian Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has announced that exports, transshipments, and transit of US-origin artificial intelligence (AI) chips will now require trade permits from the ministry. Companies and individuals must notify MITI at least 30 days in advance for review, even for goods not explicitly listed on Malaysia's strategic items list. This directive responds to increasing US scrutiny over AI chip smuggling routes across Southeast Asia
Malaysia has imposed new export restrictions on high-end artificial intelligence (AI) chips, including those from Nvidia, to curb potential rerouting to China. Effective immediately, all exports, transshipments, and re-exports of US-origin advanced AI chips require a Strategic Trade Permit, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) said on July 14, 2025. The regulation is based on the Strategic Trade Act (STA) 2010
The Trump administration is exploiting uncertainty and escalating tariff threats as its new strategy to force countries to comply with US demands. Starting on August 1, the US will impose a 30% tariff on EU goods (originally 20%), sparking strong retaliation across Europe
China has hit a roadblock in its printed circuit board (PCB) industry on its way to expand to Southeast Asia. Starting on August 1, 2025, the US will impose tariffs of up to 36% on goods from Thailand, which risks seriously impacting Thailand's manufacturing sector and upstream Chinese PCB operations in the country
Malaysia's role as a key node in the global semiconductor supply chain is drawing sharper scrutiny as it deepens industrial ties with China while facing mounting trade and export control pressures from the United States. The latest example is SuperSiC's new facility in Penang, launched by a subsidiary of China's JSG
The US Department of Commerce is reportedly preparing new regulations that would restrict the export of advanced AI chips to Thailand and Malaysia to prevent their diversion into China, according to industry sources
Malaysia's Penang state, home to about 13% of global semiconductor assembly and testing capacity, is positioning itself to capture more advanced chip manufacturing as artificial intelligence (AI) drives demand for sophisticated packaging technologies
Vietnam is moving swiftly to diversify its export markets and reduce economic dependence on the US after the US-Vietnam trade agreement announced on July 4, 2025, imposed steep new tariffs
Chinese AI Agent startup Manus has relocated its headquarters to Singapore and slashed most of its China-based workforce, just four months after its global debut. The move reflects mounting geopolitical and investment pressures and highlights Manus's push to build a global presence in the AI application space
Taiwan's networking industry showed divergent revenue results in June 2025, as companies navigated evolving market demands shaped by artificial intelligence (AI) and global supply shifts. Accton Technology reported a significant milestone by surpassing NT$20 billion (US$685 million) in monthly revenue for the first time, driven largely by increasing AI-related demand. In contrast, Wistron NeWeb Corporation (WNC) and Sercomm experienced declines or transitional phases amid ongoing market adjustments
US President Donald Trump has confirmed reciprocal tariffs on imports from 14 countries, maintaining Thailand's rate at 36%, effective August 1, 2025. Thailand's Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira remains hopeful that negotiations will lead to a reduction before the tariff comes into force
