Intensifying US-China trade tariffs could hamper emerging humanoid robot industries that rely on China’s efficient supply chain, according to analysts. Tesla’s plan to mass-produce its Optimus robot at US$20,000 now faces significant challenges.

According to the official press release, Cadence has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Arm’s Artisan foundation IP business, expanding its design IP portfolio and entering the foundation IP market for the first time. The deal includes standard cell libraries, memory compilers, and general-purpose I/Os optimized for advanced nodes at leading foundries. It is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Tong Hsing Electronic, a major backend services provider for CMOS image sensors (CIS), reported that while first-quarter operations saw a slight year-over-year decline, performance nonetheless exceeded internal expectations. Looking ahead, the company anticipates stronger results in the second quarter, with optical communication products within its RF module segment poised to deliver the most robust growth. Demand for ceramic substrates and high-end CIS is also expected to recover gradually.

Once hailed as Asia’s freest port and a gateway between China and the world, Hong Kong now finds itself increasingly swept up in the geopolitical undertow of US-China tensions. As Washington ratchets up tariffs on Chinese goods, the city, long treated as a separate economic entity, is no longer spared. The latest round of tariffs signals a deeper shift: the fading distinction between Hong Kong and the mainland in the eyes of US policymakers, raising fresh doubts about the future of “One Country, Two Systems.”