Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) announced that its anti-drone system is progressing as planned and may be launched by the third quarter of 2025. Additionally, the company’s civilian aircraft orders have exceeded NT$50 billion (approx. US$1.72 billion), driven by strong demand from major international aviation firms.

As the global race to develop next-generation semiconductor technologies accelerates, the United States and Japan are investing heavily in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment through public-private partnerships. In contrast, South Korea, constrained by limited budgets, is lagging in deploying cutting-edge tools, raising concerns that it may lose ground in the race for semiconductor supremacy.

Despite ongoing uncertainties in the market, such as exchange rates and tariffs, cable manufacturer Well Shin Technology is optimistic it will be able to maintain overall growth in 2025, thanks to an increase in pull-ins from electric vehicle (EV) customers and the continued growth of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and refrigerated containers.

As the calendar turns to the third quarter of 2025, the global smartphone industry finds itself at a critical juncture, shaped by a complex mix of geopolitical tensions, tariff uncertainty, and currency volatility. These macroeconomic headwinds continue to weigh on consumer sentiment, making a strong recovery in end-market demand increasingly difficult. Industry analysts are warning of rising operating costs and mounting challenges for smartphone vendors in the second half of the year.