End of the IRA: EV subsidies face sudden death by September

A sweeping Republican-sponsored bill informally dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” has cleared both chambers of Congress and now awaits President Donald Trump’s signature. Once signed into law, it will repeal the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a cornerstone of former President Biden’s climate and clean energy agenda, effectively marking the end of a short-lived era of generous federal subsidies for electric vehicles and renewable energy.

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Japan secures ‘golden share’ in Rapidus to safeguard chip tech, bolster 2nm push

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) said it will condition public investment in chip startup Rapidus on the issuance of a “golden share” that grants the government veto power over critical corporate decisions. The move underscores Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen state oversight in strategic sectors and prevent the outflow of sensitive semiconductor technologies, particularly in the face of potential foreign acquisitions.

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Jabil’s infrastructure bet pays off with explosive AI-fueled growth

As competition intensifies in the AI hardware boom, Jabil is emerging as a pivotal force, leveraging its global supply chain expertise and strategic partnerships to secure long-term contracts and outmaneuver rivals. Amid surging demand for advanced data center infrastructure, the company’s targeted investments in US-based manufacturing, thermal management technologies, and factory automation are positioning it as a key beneficiary of this accelerating industry shift.

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Taiwan UMT sees strong satellite orders despite June revenue dip

As the global low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite industry enters a phase of rapid commercialization, demand for high-frequency communication components continues to climb. Taiwanese RF component maker Universal Microwave Technology (UMT) reported a revenue dip in June but remains cautiously optimistic about long-term growth, citing strong demand and a robust pipeline of LEO-related orders.

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Samsung’s foldable focus on high-end smartphones sparks chipmaker optimism

Samsung Electronics has introduced its latest flagship foldable smartphones, adding fresh momentum to what is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the foldable device market. While Samsung remains one of the pioneers in this category, it now faces intensifying competition from Chinese smartphone makers, which some industry executives believe could help grow the overall market, rather than diminish its prospects.

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Three questions for Taiwan and its attempt to build a fully integrated EV industry

Taiwan’s electric scooter market appears to be entering a new phase—one defined by a tripartite division of battery-swapping networks. But with limited space, dense urban populations, and room still left for adoption growth, a fundamental question arises: How many battery-swapping systems does Taiwan need? And more importantly, what are the hidden costs and long-term risks that come with this model?

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