Taiwanese semiconductor companies specializing in visual AI technologies are pivoting away from the Chinese market, increasingly focusing on Europe and the US amid growing challenges in China. These firms are advancing comprehensive solutions encompassing SoCs, ISPs, sensors, and algorithms to maintain competitiveness.

Taiwan's finance minister and central bank governor have welcomed the US promise to extend most-favored-nation treatment under Section 232 tariffs, calling it a strong endorsement of Taiwan's industries in the trade negotiations between the two countries.

The removal of US tariffs on Taiwan's machine tools has leveled the playing field with major competitors Japan and South Korea, offering some relief to the industry. However, while this short-term resolution eases concerns, long-term challenges such as exchange rate fluctuations remain unresolved. Even as market doubts fade and demand shows signs of recovery, Taiwanese manufacturers cannot afford complacency.

Taiwan's information and communications technology (ICT) sector—dominated by the semiconductor industry and Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS)—accounted for 65.2% of Taiwan's exports in 2024. This share is projected to rise to roughly 74% in 2025, reflecting the island's unique position in global industrial competition and underscoring profound implications for the country's future industrial trajectory.

South Korea's artificial intelligence industry is bracing for tighter regulation following the implementation of the AI Basic Act, particularly provisions aimed at protecting personal rights. The manufacturing AI segment, however, is widely viewed as gaining a foothold for growth, as its data characteristics, lighter regulatory exposure, and clearer legal grounds for government support are expected to work in its favor.

India and the EU have finalized negotiations on a landmark free trade agreement (FTA), a move hailed as historic by both sides as they navigate strained relations with the US and global trade volatility, Reuters reported on January 26, 2026. The pact, expected to be announced on January 27, 2026, at the India-EU Summit in New Delhi, opens the door for free trade of goods between India and the 27-nation EU bloc, which together represent roughly a quarter of the world's GDP and a market of 2 billion consumers.

Microsoft introduced Maia 200 on January 27, 2026, its latest in-house AI accelerator, as part of a broader effort to optimize cloud infrastructure for inference-heavy workloads. Analysts see the move as aimed at lowering costs, reducing reliance on external chip suppliers, and strengthening control over Azure's AI hardware stack.

After navigating pandemic tailwinds, US-China conflicts, and tariffs under US President Donald Trump, the global semiconductor and electronics industries are emerging from inventory adjustments and price bottoms starting in 2025. While China's electronics sector has yet to fully recover, AI infrastructure, high-performance computing (HPC), automotive, and industrial control applications are driving a new AI-led pricing cycle across components and semiconductor supply chains.

Nvidia and cloud computing firm CoreWeave have announced an expanded partnership to build more than 5 gigawatts of AI "factories" by 2030, aiming to support the rapid growth of artificial intelligence workloads worldwide. As part of the deal, Nvidia invested US$2 billion in CoreWeave Class A common stock at US$87.20 per share, reflecting confidence in CoreWeave's team, strategy, and cloud platform built on Nvidia technology.

Sanmina announced a robust start to fiscal year 2026, reporting a 59% year-over-year increase in revenue for its first quarter ended December 27, 2025. The company's performance was significantly bolstered by the integration of ZT Systems and a surge in demand across the communications networks, cloud, and AI infrastructure end markets. Management expressed high confidence in the company's trajectory, aiming to double total revenue over the next two years primarily through massive opportunities in the artificial intelligence sector.

Amazon has published its "2026 Global Consumer Trends Report," revealing significant shifts in consumer demand across the US, Europe, and Japan. The report identifies artificial intelligence (AI) as a pivotal driver of growth and innovation across consumer electronics, household goods, consumer products, and fashion sectors.