Chunghwa Precision hits pause on Taoyuan fab expansion as tariff risks push pivot to AI test tech

Chunghwa Precision Test (CHPT) expects steady demand for high-performance computing (HPC) orders in the second quarter and is seeing increased momentum in automotive applications. However, mounting concerns over US reciprocal tariffs and global economic volatility have prompted the company to consider delaying its planned expansion of a third facility in Pingzhen, Taoyuan.

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Tariff sleight of hand: Auto sector calls bluff on Trump’s parts ‘exemption’

Just ahead of the May 3, 2025 rollout of a 25% auto parts tariff, US President Donald Trump announced a narrow exemption for select components. The move eliminated layered duties in favor of a streamlined 25% rate on all vehicles and parts. Industry insiders, however, see the gesture as more tactical than generous, describing it as a calculated squeeze on global supply chains.

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Apple beats expectations as iPhone sales inch higher, supply chain sees signs of a rebound

Apple on Thursday reported quarterly earnings that beat the market expectations, buoyed by modest growth in iPhone sales. Despite ongoing concerns over trade tensions and regional slowdowns, the company’s stronger-than-expected results have sparked cautious optimism across its supply chain, particularly among component manufacturers preparing for the upcoming iPhone refresh later this year.

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TESCAN stakes its claim in advanced packaging with AI-fueled failure analysis breakthrough

Czech-based electron microscope manufacturer TESCAN is undergoing a strategic shift, expanding into advanced semiconductor packaging through its growing expertise in failure analysis (FA) technology. With Taiwan emerging as a global center for advanced packaging R&D, TESCAN plans to establish a local subsidiary in 2025 to meet rising demand from semiconductor clients across the Asia-Pacific region.

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Mining influence: Taiwan’s critical moves in the global rare earth chess game

As the Ukraine-Russo war reaches a stalemate in peace talks, the United States is actively promoting agreements on rare earth elements (REEs) with Ukraine. This move underscores the critical importance of these elements in global geopolitics and technological competition. This article analyzes the strategic value of Rare earth elements (REEs), the context of the China-US rivalry, and Taiwan’s strategies for addressing these challenges.

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