OpenAI expanded its Asian presence to Seoul in May 2025, marking its third regional office after Japan and Singapore as the ChatGPT maker seeks to capitalize on South Korea's rapidly growing AI adoption and comprehensive technology ecosystem

China's semiconductor sector was abuzz in late May 2025 by reports that Siemens EDA received a notice from the US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) instructing it to halt all electronic design automation (EDA) services and support to Chinese clients. Several Chinese media outlets and local industry sources alleged that Siemens had already begun blocking regional access to its technical websites

Amid the escalating US-China tech war and supply chain risks, the trend of "de-Nvidia-ization" is rapidly spreading within China's computing power industry. This shift represents not only a technological transformation but also a comprehensive change encompassing policy, technology, ecosystem, and market dynamics

The US has once again delayed the imposition of a 50% tariff on European imports, following a phone call between US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The tariff implementation date has been postponed to July 9, 2025. However, Trump's broader tariff strategy faced a significant legal setback when the US Court of International Trade ruled on May 28, 2025, that the president lacked authority to introduce his April 2nd "liberation day" tariff scheme using emergency economic powers legislation, potentially throwing the administration's global trade policy into disarray. Meanwhile, the existing US tariffs on Chinese goods—currently totaling around 40%—are expected to remain in place for now, with China maintaining reciprocal tariffs of approximately 25% on American imports. Despite this temporary détente, China's manufacturing sector continues to suffer, with GDP growth for 2025 projected to fall below 5%

Taiwan-based leadframe maker Chang Wah Technology (CWTC) is upbeat about 2025 as demand recovers, and will continue to expand its production capacity in Malaysia, according to company chairman Chuen-Sing Hung

Hanmi Semiconductor has secured a major supply agreement with Taiwan's ASE Technology Holding Co., marking another strategic win in its global expansion drive. Under the contract, Hanmi will export semiconductor back-end process equipment valued at approximately KRW8 billion (US$5.83 million) to Taiwan

Nvidia Corp. today reported robust financial results for its first quarter of fiscal 2026, with revenue reaching US$44 billion, a 69% increase year-over-year. However, the company highlighted the significant and immediate impact of new US government export controls on its data center business in China, affecting both the past quarter's performance and future outlook

Huawei's HiSilicon and Lenovo have reignited global debate over China's semiconductor ambitions by launching AI PCs and tablets powered by 5nm chips, despite the country's lack of access to advanced EUV lithography equipment. Huawei's Kirin X90 was unveiled in a high-profile spot on CCTV, while Lenovo's self-developed 5nm SS1101 SoC surfaced quietly inside the new YOGA Pad Pro 14.5 with minimal fanfare. The contrast reflects not just divergent publicity tactics, but different survival strategies under China's chipmaking constraints

In ongoing tariff negotiations between Japan and the US, the Japanese government has proposed purchasing semiconductor products from American manufacturers worth several billion US dollars. This move aims to serve as a bargaining chip for reducing the US trade deficit with Japan

Hygon Information Technology and Dawning Information Industry Co. (Sugon) announced a strategic merger on May 25, 2025, a move widely seen as aligning with Beijing's agenda to consolidate its computing infrastructure and fast-track technological self-reliance. Hygon, valued at roughly CNY316 billion (US$43.95 billion), focuses on domestic CPUs and data processing units (DCUs), with five chip generations in use across finance, telecom, artificial intelligence, and enterprise data centers

As global display technologies pivot toward thinner, lighter, and more flexible form factors — especially for automotive and smart device applications — Taiwanese glass processor Gtoc Optoelectronics is making a bold move into next-generation materials. The company announced a strategic expansion into the ultra-thin rollable glass cover market, positioning itself as a key supplier for high-end automotive displays and precision glass applications

President William Lai's initiative for a global democratic semiconductor supply chain represents Taiwan's response and commitment to the restructuring of global supply chains, according to Minister of Economic Affairs J.W. Kuo. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) will support foreign companies as they enter what Kuo describes as a golden era of partnership with Taiwan

As US-China tech decoupling deepens, Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment (AMEC), a top Chinese semiconductor equipment maker, is ramping up efforts to localize its supply chain and boost technological independence. On May 27, 2025, Chairman and CEO Gerald Yin said the firm is developing over 20 next-generation chipmaking tools to reduce reliance on US-sourced technologies

Yageo chairman Pierre Chen has expressed an optimistic outlook for the second half of 2025, despite global uncertainties surrounding tariffs and exchange rate fluctuations. Speaking at the company's recent shareholders' meeting, Chen reassured investors that the company is in a strong position to navigate these challenges, with controllable risks tied to the impact of currency fluctuations and tariffs. Chen also reaffirmed Yageo's unwavering commitment to acquiring Shibaura Electronics, stressing that while the company may adjust the timeline and specifics of the acquisition strategy, its long-term objective remains unchanged: to fully integrate Shibaura Electronics into the Yageo Group and eventually delist the Japanese company

Networking company Alpha Networks (Alpha) held its shareholders meeting on May 27, 2025, where it expressed optimism about the continued strengthening of shipment momentum for its core products in the second half of 2025. Coupled with active expansion into emerging telecom markets and accelerated development of high-end products, Alpha maintains a cautiously positive outlook for its business growth this year