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Wednesday 6 November 2024
To split or not to split: Intel's dilemma has no clear-cut solution
Intel is grappling with an operational crisis as its IDM 2.0 transformation plan has yet to yield results, casting doubt on when its foundry business might finally become profitable. This raises the question of whether Intel should consider abandoning its IDM model and separating its product design and manufacturing divisions—a move with both potential advantages and drawbacks. Industry leaders, including former board members, are offering advice in hopes of helping Intel find a viable path forward. However, the conflicting nature of their advice highlights the complexity of the company's dilemma
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Tuesday 15 July 2025
Nvidia regains China access as Trump reverses H20 ban, but at what cost?
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is engaging in a high-stakes diplomatic and commercial push across Washington and Beijing, positioning artificial intelligence (AI) as a defining force for global industries and innovation. And for now, his efforts appear to be yielding results
Tuesday 15 July 2025
GlobalFoundries takes MIPS under its wing; Imagination shoots down SMIC takeover talk
With TSMC commanding the lion's share of foundry orders for data center AI accelerators, second-tier players like UMC, GlobalFoundries (GF), and SMIC are urgently repositioning to tap into the AI market. Each is adopting a unique strategy to stay relevant in a rapidly intensifying competitive field
Monday 14 July 2025
Gogoro's zero monthly rental plan aims to retain customers but sparks debate over hidden fees
On July 8, 2025, Gogoro announced its new zero monthly rental plan, stirring considerable discussion. However, every coin has two sides - what exactly is Gogoro offering with this move
Friday 11 July 2025
Auto giants squeezed as Trump’s trade brinkmanship stirs EU, Japan standoff
The US has unveiled its latest round of reciprocal tariffs, set to take effect on August 1, 2025. Countries that have yet to reach an agreement with President Donald Trump's administration now face the near-certainty of increased tariffs, adding fresh strain to global trade negotiations
Thursday 10 July 2025
Stay or relocate: Taiwan makers weigh exodus amid weak government support
The free trade agreement (FTA) between the US and South Korea has now become irrelevant under Donald Trump's administration. Taiwan's tech products also face the possibility of losing the ITA and ITA 2 tariffs-free benefits granted under the WTO framework. Trump's tariff threat can be understood as a step to force Seoul to share the cost of stationing US troops in South Korea. But what does Trump want from Taiwan in the tariffs game? TSMC is already constructing wafer fabs and an R&D center in the US. Does Trump want AI server makers to set up assembly lines in the US, and for the Taiwan currency to sharply appreciate against the greenback
Wednesday 9 July 2025
Intel halts in-house glass substrate development as Tan avoids 'R&D trap'
Glass substrates are considered one of the key directions for advanced packaging development, especially showing significant potential in high-performance computing (HPC) and data center sectors. Advances in glass substrate technology have also attracted widespread attention across the semiconductor industry. Despite that, recent reports stated that Intel plans to stop self-developing and producing glass substrates, opting instead to use glass substrates supplied by external vendors
Wednesday 9 July 2025
Commentary: Foxconn’s EV triangle may hinge on Nissan’s Oppama plant
With global EV growth decelerating, Taiwan's Foxconn is pressing ahead with its electric vehicle ambitions. The company is reportedly in advanced talks with Nissan Motor over a potential joint venture at the automaker's Oppama plant in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, a development that analysts say could mark a turning point for both firms
Monday 7 July 2025
Xiaomi's 'toys for grown-ups' strategy fuels hype for YU7 EV, smart glasses
Xiaomi's latest breakout products, the YU7 electric vehicle and AI-powered smart glasses, are making waves not just for their functionality, but for how they're being positioned and sold. In today's digital-first consumer economy, tech is no longer just about utilities; it's a lifestyle marker. Analysts are increasingly framing this shift as "hype-driven tech consumption," with some even likening it to the rise of "tech collectibles.
Friday 4 July 2025
US-Vietnam tariff deal narrows gap, but transshipment rules remain a black box
US President Donald Trump has confirmed a preliminary tariff framework with Vietnam that lowers duties on Vietnamese exports to the US from 46% to 20%. However, the deal includes a separate 40% tariff on transshipped goods routed through Vietnam from other countries. In return, Vietnam will eliminate all tariffs on US imports, granting American products full access to its market
Friday 4 July 2025
China-India rivalry forces Foxconn to rethink manpower strategy
As 2025 begins under President Donald Trump's second term, rising trade tensions and tariffs are pushing regionalized manufacturing. In this context, Foxconn is reportedly recalling Chinese engineers from its Indian operations, highlighting the complex China-India dynamics shaping global industry
Thursday 3 July 2025
Details of the US-China trade agreement remain unclear, with no consensus on rare earths and chip controls
On June 26, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that the US had signed a trade agreement with China on June 25, which was also confirmed by China's Ministry of Commerce. From the talks in Geneva on May 11 to negotiations in London on June 10, followed by Trump's recent announcement, what exactly have the two countries agreed upon
Wednesday 2 July 2025
Wolfspeed bankruptcy reshuffles SiC supply chain: Renesas and SAS next moves in spotlight
The leading third-generation semiconductor silicon carbide (SiC) supplier, US-based Wolfspeed, has filed for bankruptcy reorganization. Its major creditors recently reached a restructuring support agreement (RSA) acknowledging losses
Monday 30 June 2025
From subsidies to subtraction: Lip-bu Tan rewrites Intel’s revival playbook
The semiconductor industry rarely sees such a stark contrast in leadership philosophy as the one emerging between Intel's current and former CEOs. Pat Gelsinger, who recently stepped down after failing to engineer Intel's revival, now offers strategic advice to Japan's Rapidus on challenging TSMC. Meanwhile, his successor, Lip-Bu Tan, has wasted no time in his emergency appointment, announcing significant layoffs just three months into his tenure
Thursday 26 June 2025
Trump launches strike on Iran, signals no letup in tariff policy
As the deadline for President Trump's tariff deferrals approaches on July 9, global attention shifts to the G7 summit in Canada, where leaders are pressing the US to roll back its trade restrictions. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Trump cut his participation short, citing more urgent matters back home. On the evening of June 21, Trump ordered seven B-2 bombers to strike Iran's underground nuclear facilities, signaling a significant escalation in US military engagement in the region
Tuesday 24 June 2025
Taiwan tech supply chains brace for tariff deadline amid currency headwinds
Taiwan's IT supply chain faces mounting pressures as the July 9 expiration of a 90-day reciprocal tariff grace period approaches. The New Taiwan dollar's sharp appreciation has already squeezed margins for export-focused manufacturers in May and June, with industry observers warning that first-half earnings may disappoint while traditional peak-season demand could weaken due to earlier front-loading by cautious customers