EU minimum-price rule shifts China EV dispute from tariffs to head-to-head competition

The EU has replaced tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with a “minimum price commitment” mechanism, signaling a shift in the ongoing trade dispute from border barriers to deeper market competition. Supply chain analysts warn that Europe’s automotive sector faces significant challenges amid US tariff pressures and China’s technological and cost advantages in new energy vehicles.

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Taiwan’s Holtek sees surge in MCU sales, launches compact energy and fire-safety units

After navigating a turbulent year of US-China tariffs, Taiwanese microcontroller (MCU) maker Holtek Corp. closed 2025 with a full-year revenue of NT$3.058 billion (US$96 million), up 22.2% from the previous year. The company said it sees growth opportunities in behind-the-meter energy storage and lithium battery fire-safety solutions, with plans to roll out medium- and small-power portable storage units for the residential market, as well as compact energy-storage fire-safety products already validated with multiple clients.

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Taipower deploys AI-powered drones for boiler inspections, enhancing maintenance efficiency

Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) has introduced an indoor drone inspection system at its thermal power plants, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze boiler tube surfaces in real time and automatically detect cracks. This development replaces the traditional, labor-intensive method of erecting scaffolding to manually inspect the tubes, enabling broader coverage and speeding up repair processes.

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Asus ROG Strix XG27UCSR debuts with a dual-mode 4K Fast IPS display

The Asus ROG Strix XG27UCSR, a.k.a. Asus ROG Strix XG27UCS Gen2 has just been announced. It builds upon its predecessor’s display by upping the peak brightness and enhancing the refresh rate capabilities. The display combines a native 3840 x 2160 resolution with a maximum refresh rate of 160Hz, while its dual‑mode design enables an instant switch to Full HD operation with frame‑rate boosting up…

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TCL CSOT unveiled a comprehensive product vision at CES 2026

TCL CSOT arrived at CES 2026 with a lineup that pushes display technology into new territory, presenting breakthroughs in image fidelity, eye‑care technology, sustainable design, AI‑driven innovation, and next‑generation form factors under its APEX philosophy. (A) Under “Amazing Display Experience,” TCL CSOT pushes immersion to new heights. The 98‑inch HVA Ultra Infinity View TV introduces an…

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