According to Nikkei Asia, Apple is currently in discussions with its suppliers to potentially assemble iPhones in Indonesia. This move would be significant for the Indonesian government, which has been keen on securing larger investments from the tech company in exchange for access to its market.

Supply chain uncertainty looms as US President Donald Trump’s recent tariff measures target North American trade, though suppliers suggest the initial impact will affect brand customers more significantly than component manufacturers.

Leading silicon carbide (SiC) manufacturers, including STMicroelectronics, Onsemi, Infineon Technologies, and Wolfspeed, posted dismal financial results, fueling concerns that the SiC boom may be waning. The downturn is largely tied to turbulence in the EV and solar inverter sectors, particularly in China, where intensifying price wars are forcing cost cuts across the supply chain.

The Donald Trump Administration reportedly may require TSMC to make tough choices to aid in rebuilding the US’s chip manufacturing capabilities, including sharing technologies or establishing a joint venture with Intel. As the semiconductor industry transitions from global free trade to a regional trade system due to strategic and security concerns, the US is adopting China’s market-for-technology strategies to secure its national security, reflecting a broader trend of protectionism in the chip industry, similar to developments in the automotive sector.