Amid US export curbs, Chinese tech giant Huawei is allegedly offering triple salaries to entice Taiwanese semiconductor engineers, particularly those from TSMC, to join its ranks.

I recently attended Zeiss's Quality Innovation Summit in Berlin, where I delivered a one-hour presentation titled "Reshaping Global ICT Supply Chain." Through arrangements made by the general manager of Zeiss Taiwan, PT Cheong, I met with three high-level decision-makers including Zeiss president Andreas Pecher and industrial quality solutions (IQS) head Marc Wawerla before my speech.

Donald Trump's potential return to the White House has done little to dispel Beijing's anxiety about the direction of US policies concerning China. The next Trump administration's policies are likely to follow the country's mainstream opinion that favors an even higher and wider trade barrier against China.

Apple has submitted a US$10 million investment plan to the Indonesian government in hopes of lifting the ban on the iPhone 16 to enable its immediate sale in the local market.

Huawei's HarmonyOS is encountering significant hurdles in its path to successful commercialization. However, since its launch, Huawei has integrated the digital yuan into HarmonyOS, reflecting a departure from traditional commercialization strategies.

Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election has raised concerns about potential new tariffs and their impact on Southeast Asia's "China +1" strategy. Countries in the region may need new approaches to mitigate risks and reduce reliance on foreign investment.

Arm has reported better-than-expected revenue driven by strong licensing and royalty performance. The company saw a 40% year-over-year increase in smartphone royalty revenue, while continued demand for AI solutions fueled significant licensing growth.

As ultra-wideband (UWB) technology matures and market demand increases, UWB is gradually entering the automotive and consumer electronics sectors. Its remarkable performance in digital key and safety functions for automobiles has garnered attention, despite facing challenges from Bluetooth technology and ecosystems like the Huawei-led SparkLink Alliance.

The patent dispute between Lenovo and ZTE is intensifying. On October 21, Lenovo filed a patent infringement lawsuit against ZTE in the UK High Court. A week later, ZTE responded, citing prolonged licensing negotiations with Lenovo and expressing surprise over Lenovo's choice to litigate in the UK, while also respecting their decision.

Despite their dominance of over 60% of the global lithium battery market, Chinese manufacturers are increasingly seeking to expand abroad to escape fierce competition and price wars at home. However, regulatory pressures from Europe and the US may soon force some firms to retreat to domestic operations.

Toyota's major automotive component suppliers have revised their financial guidance downward for the fiscal year ending in March, according to their latest financial results.

The transition of Europe's automotive industry to electric has encountered challenges in 2024, leading to significant setbacks for European car manufacturers. To date, European automakers have issued seven profit warnings, indicating their failure to accurately assess market trends as the situation grows increasingly beyond their control.

Following the victory of Donald Trump and the Republican Party in the US presidential and congressional elections, major changes are anticipated when the new administration takes office. Chief among these changes is the likely rescinding of unspent funds under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which could significantly impact the renewable energy, energy storage, and electric vehicle (EV) sectors.

Panasonic's battery manufacturing division has found a silver lining in the growing demand for data center energy systems, offsetting the impact of slowing electric vehicle (EV) sales. The division reported strong financial results despite challenges in the EV market.

Following the US Department of Treasury's expansion of the CHIPS and Science Act subsidies to include solar-grade silicon ingots and wafers, South Korean solar giants Hanwha Qcells and OCI Holdings are expected to gain billions of Korean won in added US support.

US defense technology companies are increasingly looking to Taiwan as a critical manufacturing base and supply chain partner, as revealed during a recent Arizona-led trade delegation to Taipei. The mission, which included four emerging defense tech firms, highlights growing bilateral cooperation in aerospace and defense amid rising regional tensions.

With heightened US-China tech competition looming ahead of the US presidential election, one outcome seems certain: the rivalry—especially in drones—will only accelerate efforts to reduce dependency on Chinese suppliers. The commercial drone market, in particular, is garnering strong interest as firms eye the gaps left by DJI, the leading player now facing tougher restrictions. Industry analysts predict DJI may face challenges in the commercial and specialized markets, though its consumer base likely won't be affected.

Taiwan's drone industry is second in the world, behind only China's, according to Andrew Ng, general partner at AI Fund, which is aiming to advance AI applications in drones. Speaking on the eve of the US presidential election, Ng reflected on the significance of democracy and expressed hope that AI development can flourish in a democratic Taiwan.

Donald Trump's potential return as the US President has captured global attention. Peter Chen, chairperson of Qisda, notes that from an economic and industrial perspective, Trump's anticipated presidency is expected to boost the US stock market through his proposed quantitative-erasing policies. Lower interest rates and the resulting capital influx could positively impact the economy.

Taiwan is gradually positioning itself as a global leader in Micro LED development, driven by extensive investments in core areas like epitaxial wafers, TFT substrates, mass transfer, and full-color display technologies. However, with OLED technology advancing rapidly, Taiwan must redouble innovation efforts to sustain the competitiveness of Micro LED technology.

The polarizer market continues to face oversupply pressures, limiting average selling price (ASP) growth. BenQ Materials has strengthened its portfolio with high-value products, including automotive and OLED polarizers, while also commencing shipments of Micro LED materials. Supply and demand for panels in 2025 are projected to remain consistent with 2024, supported by strategic capacity adjustments.