US tariff chaos undermines North American auto sector, risks investment shift

US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have agreed to temporarily delay the implementation of a 25% tariff on automobiles, originally set for January 4, by one month. Despite this extension, uncertainty continues to erode confidence in the North American automotive sector, heightening concerns over long-term stability.

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NXP records sales slump amid industrial downturn

NXP Semiconductors reported a 9% revenue decline in the fourth quarter of 2024 to US$3.11 billion amid pricing pressures and increased competition. With conservative guidance for the first quarter of 2025, industry analysts note that while automotive demand remains stable, weakness in other sectors highlights broader economic challenges, particularly in Europe.

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Aleees grows lithium IP certification clientele

Advanced Lithium Electrochemistry (Aleees) has seen steady progress in its lithium intellectual property (IP) certification, even as trade wars and heightened tariffs pose a looming threat to the EV and energy storage industries in 2025. The company released its latest customer certification progress report on February 3, reflecting steady growth in the global lithium battery market.

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CSPs embrace DeepSeek as AI infrastructure spending surges

China’s AI startup DeepSeek has emerged as a significant player in the AI landscape. While some US government offices have restricted DeepSeek’s use, Amazon’s AWS and Microsoft have announced support for DeepSeek models. Recent earnings reports from Meta and Microsoft demonstrate continued investment in AI innovation and infrastructure, with capital expenditures showing no signs of deceleration. Google, set to release its earnings shortly, has yet to declare its position.

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