After returning to Taiwan, Executive Yuan Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun provided updates on the status of Taiwan-US economic and trade negotiations, particularly addressing the contentious issue of a 50-50 manufacturing split raised by US officials. While Taiwan has not agreed to such a proposal, Cheng suggested the government remains open to collaboration that could assist the US chip manufacturing effort, fueling speculation about potential flexibility in Taiwan’s stance.

Chih-Wei Wu, deputy director general of the Energy Administration (EA) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), showed journalists around the Maritime Technology Innovation Center (MTIC) in Kaohsiung on October 2. Current tenants include Thunder Tiger, the Taiwan Ocean Research Institute (TORI) under the National Institute of Applied Research (NIAR), Fugro IOVTEC, Maca Tech, Lung Hwa Electronics, and GOAT Engineering.

United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC) recently issued a notice to its suppliers demanding a 15% price reduction, signaling heightened cost pressures within the semiconductor supply chain. While some analysts interpret this as a strategic negotiation move rather than a firm mandate, the demand underscores UMC’s urgent efforts to lower production costs amid challenging market conditions.