As the New Taiwan dollar (NT$) experiences a sharp appreciation, concerns are mounting across Taiwan’s export-driven industries. With tariffs already biting, industry insiders now warn of a second blow: the potential erosion of profits due to foreign exchange pressures. Adding to the anxiety is a surge of speculative capital inflows, raising fears of “vulture” investors manipulating currency trends.

Amid the escalating tariff war, Apple has been cast as its most prominent casualty. Yet, a closer examination of the company’s recent financial disclosures reveals a performance that belies such dire characterizations. Apple CEO Tim Cook has actively engaged with various critical issues, drawing public attention and providing clear strategies and explanations. However, investor confidence in Apple’s long-term trajectory remains tepid, largely due to the murky outlook surrounding US tariff policies.

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.

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.