As Donald Trump takes office with his "America First" agenda, South Korea's electronics and automotive industries are closely monitoring potential shifts in global trade policies. A major concern is the proposed 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, which could pose significant challenges for South Korean companies with manufacturing operations in Mexico.
Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has indicated that US President Donald Trump's most significant tariff policies are still pending announcement. A recent MOEA survey on Taiwanese manufacturers' export strategies revealed that only 8.9% have taken proactive measures to address potential US protectionist policies, while the majority maintain an observing stance.
President Donald Trump has returned to the White House, and in his inaugural speech, he reaffirmed his commitment to manufacturing in the US as a priority, vowing to revive the American auto industry. In response, auto component manufacturers have highlighted the challenges of establishing production facilities in the US.
During his campaign, Donald Trump announced the removal of the US$7,500 tax credit for consumers purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). As a result, in the past few months, US EV sales have surged, reflecting a buying frenzy before the potential subsidy cuts.
Leading automakers, including General Motors, Toyota Motor, and Volkswagen AG, are challenging stringent vehicle safety rules implemented during the Biden administration. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation has filed a lawsuit in the US Court of Appeals to overturn National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations issued in April 2023.
Hyundai Motor's electric vehicles (EVs) were removed from the US government's electric vehicle subsidy list in late January 2025, just weeks after being included at the start of the year. This exclusion has led the industry to speculate about the deepening of US protectionism, with attention turning to Hyundai's response strategies.
The US is anticipated to impose a 25% tariff on Mexico starting February 1, 2025, as proposed by the newly inaugurated President Donald Trump, prompting automotive electronics manufacturing services (EMS) manufacturers to emphasize their need for production flexibility and mobility.
Vietnamese EV maker VinFast, a subsidiary of VinGroup, has officially entered the Indian market with its debut at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. Showcasing a diverse lineup led by the VF 6 and VF 7 SUVs, the company aims to drive electric mobility adoption in India while establishing a manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu.
On his first day in office, US President Donald Trump initiated a broad rollback of Biden administration policies by signing a series of executive orders. Trump announced plans to revoke nearly 80 executive actions from Biden, targeting areas including climate policy, technology regulation, and foreign trade.
Chinese tech circles have been abuzz with news that Xiaomi is contemplating the acquisition of EV maker NIO, which will allow NIO to make major strides in battery swapping technology and operational scope, while Xiaomi can benefit from improved charging pile deployment.
Chinese Vice President Zheng Han met billionaire Elon Musk and other US business figures, underscoring Beijing's efforts to set a positive tone in ties with the US before Donald Trump returned to office.
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