Component makers across Southeast Asia await clarity as Vietnam reaches tariff deal with US

US President Donald Trump has unveiled a trade agreement with Vietnam that reduces tariffs on Vietnamese exports to the US from 46% to 20%, while imposing a 40% levy on transshipped goods. Although the full policy details have yet to be released, connector and cable suppliers say the Vietnam deal provides a provisional reference point amid broader uncertainty over regional tariff policies.

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E Ink and Netronix power ahead as E-paper demand surges across segments

With customers pulling in orders ahead of schedule, E Ink Holdings expects the second quarter of 2025 to be its strongest second quarter on record — traditionally, its peak performance has come in the third or fourth quarters. The company remains optimistic about the third quarter while the fourth quarter will depend in part on clarity around global tariff policies. Nevertheless, E Ink has dubbed 2025 the “first year of large-format e-paper,” with digital signage projected to become its largest revenue stream in the near future.

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China-based USI moves upmarket with L10 edge AI server for global clients

Universal Scientific Industrial Shanghai (USI), a China-based electronics design and manufacturing company, has completed delivery of a Level 10 (L10) full-system joint design manufacturing (JDM) project. The lightweight edge AI server, co-developed with a major international client, targets deployment in healthcare, retail, and industrial applications across Europe and North America.

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Malaysia-Singapore Special Economic Zone builds cross-border AI ecosystem amid sovereign tech race

As the global race to build “sovereign AI” gains momentum, Southeast Asia is carving out a strategic role in the next wave of digital infrastructure, and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is emerging as a focal point. High-profile moves, like Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s recent visit to the Middle East, have spotlighted the growing link between AI innovation and national policy. In Southeast Asia, JS SEZ is becoming a real-world testbed for how governments can work together to support AI-powered industries.

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