A 25% US tariff on imported passenger vehicles took effect on April 3, following earlier announcements and delays that gave automakers time to adjust. With varying levels of domestic production and market exposure, automakers are now rolling out divergent pricing strategies in response.

As the US and China intensify their semiconductor sanctions, the G2 dynamic between these superpowers grows increasingly pronounced, pushing supply chains toward de-risking. This shift is reshaping the global layout of semiconductor foundries and, by extension, the strategies of upstream material suppliers. French semiconductor materials leader Soitec, renowned for its proprietary Smart Cut technology, plays a pivotal role in this evolving ecosystem. Specializing in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers, Soitec commands over 70% of the global SOI market, with applications spanning 5G, AI, automotive electronics, and RF components.

As Washington presses pause on sweeping new tariffs—with China singled out for sharply higher rates—Taiwan is seizing the moment to deepen its economic ties with the United States. But according to one leading tech executive, Taiwan’s ambitions should stretch further: beyond trade, toward a long-term strategic alliance.