Just when the global supply chain thought it had a breather, US President Donald Trump's administration is stoking renewed tensions with China by threatening sweeping new tariffs. Beijing has retaliated with equal force, rolling out a 34% "reciprocal tariff" package. Strategic sectors—including semiconductors and pharmaceuticals—may soon be in the crosshairs
On April 3, 2025, the United States announced a 34% "reciprocal tariff" on Chinese goods. The next day, China retaliated with a 34% punitive tariff, marking the most significant escalation in the trade war between the two nations since their economic tensions began in 2018. This move has drawn global attention, signaling that the economic battle between China and the US has expanded beyond traditional trade disputes into full-scale confrontations over technology and supply chains
Over the past fifty years, China has driven its national progress through two key forces: economic growth and nationalism. Its rapid economic expansion has not only reshaped Chinese society but also played a crucial role in global economic development. Between 2009 and 2019, the world's total GDP grew from US$61 trillion to US$88 trillion, with China contributing a third of that US$27 trillion increase. This era was both China's "golden decade" and a time when the international community heavily relied on its economic engine
Microsoft has experienced significant momentum in the past two years due to GenAI, but recent signals indicate a shift towards cautiousness. Despite previously emphasizing urgent demand for data centers at the end of 2024, Microsoft has reportedly canceled leases for some data centers in the US and Europe since the first quarter of 2025
Media reports suggest that US shipbuilding output is merely 1/200th of China's, allowing China to expand its navy at an astonishing rate. In fact, the total number of Chinese warships has already surpassed that of the US Navy. Now, Trump is advocating for regaining control of the Panama Canal and imposing higher transit fees on Chinese-built ships—an aggressive move that directly targets a critical vulnerability in China's shipbuilding industry. While Trump's approach seeks to revive American manufacturing through drastic measures, the real challenge lies in the prevailing mindset of Americans, who are generally reluctant to enter the manufacturing sector
OpenAI's ChatGPT recently introduced a new image generation feature, allowing users to transform images into the style of Hayao Miyazaki (Studio Ghibli), once again setting off a trend. However, high system traffic has led OpenAI to impose usage limits
For the first 45 years after Intel's founding, from its first CEO Robert Noyce to its fifth, Paul Otellini, the company focused on perfecting the IDM (integrated device manufacturing) model. The "Intel Inside" campaign became a global success, cementing Intel's position at the top of the semiconductor industry. It wasn't until 2013 when Brian Krzanich became Intel's sixth CEO that the company made its first tentative steps into foundry services
During China's peak prosperity, Taiwan managed to survive under significant pressure. Now, freed from direct Chinese constraints, Taiwan continues to navigate challenges alongside global powers. Within the G2 dynamic, Taiwan grapples with internal limitations such as energy, talent, and land. Even the goal of maintaining the status quo poses an increasingly daunting challenge, with US policy toward Taiwan—especially under the Trump administration—remaining a critical factor
Between 2019 and 2024, global GDP rose by about US$21 trillion. During this time, companies like AWS, Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Tesla saw their market values exceed US$1 trillion. These tech giants have not only focused on their main business areas but have also significantly invested in developing in-house chips
The demand for humanoid robots is on the rise, driven in part by the optimism of industry leaders such as Nvidia. However, the practicality of adopting a humanoid form for robots remains a critical topic of discussion. Recent insights from Marc Raibert, founder of Boston Dynamics, shed light on various aspects of this burgeoning trend during an interview with DIGITIMES.
US President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policy has struck the global economy like a machine gun blast. His 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, coupled with uncertainties surrounding the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), have already sent shockwaves through the automotive industry
Between the 1960s and 1980s, the semiconductor industry primarily used a vertically integrated model covering all aspects, from equipment to materials. This approach disadvantaged latecomers such as Taiwan and South Korea, which concentrated on process technology rather than developing their own equipment and material capabilities
There is growing speculation regarding a potential slowdown in the demand for AI data centers. Despite these concerns, Taiwan's server original design manufacturers, who hold more than 90% of the global market share, insist that the adjustments in customer orders are primarily due to shifts in supply conditions, with demand momentum remaining strong. Amid shifting US tariff policies, recent order surges have pushed production to full capacity, propelling server revenues to new heights
When Foxconn (Hon Hai Technology Group) launched its rotating CEO system in April 2024, it was seen as a bold experiment aimed at grooming future leaders and strengthening corporate governance. The company named CC Lin, General Manager of the E Business Group, as the inaugural rotating CEO. After completing his one-year term, Foxconn announced on March 30, 2025, that Kathy Yang, the Group's Chief Campus Officer, would assume the role as the second rotating CEO
Texas is pioneering advanced energy storage technologies as part of a broader push to enhance grid stability and expand renewable capacity, addressing growing power demands — including from data centers projected to consume 9% of the US electricity by 2030
