TSMC leads with high gross margins, while second- and third-tier foundries operate at full capacity but struggle to profit

The foundry industry faces operational pressures in 2025 due to external factors such as tariffs, exchange rates, and geopolitical tensions. Only TSMC continues to achieve record-breaking annual performance by systematically overcoming these challenges. Meanwhile, second and third-tier foundries experience declining results. SMIC and Hua Hong have expanded order volumes, yet their profits have not seen significant corresponding growth, and PSMC remains mired in losses.

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China’s chip equipment spending surges in 1H25, defying global downturn

China’s semiconductor industry posted CNY455 billion (approx. US$63.3 billion) in total investment during the first half of 2025, down 9.8% from a year earlier, according to a new report. Semiconductor equipment spending, however, jumped more than 53%, highlighting Beijing’s push for chip self-sufficiency in the face of escalating geopolitical pressures and export controls.

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Auto tariff break offers lifeline to Japan, EU, and South Korean carmakers

President Donald Trump has reached a new tariff agreement with key US trade partners, including the European Union, Japan, and South Korea, setting a unified reciprocal tariff rate of 15% that for the first time includes automobiles and auto parts. The policy, which took effect on August 7, 2025, could deliver a significant boost to foreign carmakers and suppliers operating in the US, but uncertainty lingers.

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Trump halts Biden-era EV charging program, US plans in disarray

The global electric vehicle market is increasingly dominated by three major regions: China, Europe, and the United States. While China’s EV ecosystem—including vehicle sales and charging infrastructure—continues to accelerate, Germany faces setbacks due to underused public charging stations. In the United States, however, a dramatic policy reversal under President Donald Trump is threatening to unravel recent federal efforts to build a more equitable and accessible charging network.

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China to start mass production of domestic HBM3 chips, paving way for Huawei AI integration

China’s domestic high-bandwidth memory (HBM) technology has reportedly reached a major milestone, with one of the nation’s top DRAM manufacturers beginning mass production of HBM3 chips using a homegrown 16nm G4 process. Industry sources say sample shipments to Huawei are already in progress, and the product is undergoing final verification.

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