The Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER) released the manufacturing business climate indicator for August 2025 on October 1. The report noted that continued strong demand for AI technology applications, peak-season restocking of new consumer electronics, and notable narrowing of the New Taiwan dollar’s year-over-year appreciation against the US dollar compared to the previous month supported improvements in both demand and pricing indicators for the semiconductor industry. As a result, the industry’s signal changed from a yellow-blue light to a green light, indicating steady conditions.

United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) has formally demanded that its suppliers propose price cuts of more than 15% to take effect on January 1, 2026, an unusually aggressive move that is raising questions about the company’s motives and market leverage.

The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) recently organized a Taiwan Expo in New Delhi as part of Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy aimed at expanding business engagement with the ASEAN region and South Asia. The event focused on introducing Taiwanese key industries to the Indian market, underscoring semiconductors as a critical area for bilateral collaboration.

Seoul prosecutors have arrested and indicted three former employees of Samsung Electronics for allegedly leaking advanced nanoscale DRAM process technology to China’s Changxin Memory Technologies (CXMT). The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office estimates the breach caused Samsung revenue losses of approximately KRW5 trillion (US$3.56 billion) in 2024 alone. The accused now occupy key research and development positions at CXMT.