Julian Hetherington, director of Automotive Transformation at Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), elaborated on the development of the UK’s automotive and semiconductor sectors during an exclusive interview with DIGITIMES. Although the US lowered tariffs on UK cars to 10%, this preferential rate applies only to 100,000 vehicles. Could this cap become a “ceiling” for UK car exports to the US in 2025 or even in subsequent years?

US President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies have prompted countries worldwide to vie for priority negotiation opportunities. Among them, the UK was the first to secure a trade agreement with the US, covering sectors such as automobiles, steel, and aluminum. Julian Hetherington, director of Automotive Transformation at Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) UK, recently visited Taiwan’s industry sector and shared insights exclusively with DIGITIMES, revealing the secrets behind the UK-US consensus.

Pegatron is stepping out of the shadows with its most prominent solo appearance to date at Computex 2025, unveiling a dedicated exhibition zone for the first time. Chairman Tzu-Hsien Tung described the move as a break from tradition, highlighting a shift in the industry where contract manufacturers are no longer content with remaining backstage. Two key trends are driving this change: the global resurgence of physical manufacturing and a transformative AI-driven wave reshaping the tech landscape.

Amid renewed trade tensions under US President Donald Trump, Asian leaders are adjusting their economic strategies to align with the evolving geopolitical climate. Taiwan, in particular, faces mounting pressure as major industrial players like TSMC and artificial intelligence (AI) supply chains relocate production to the US, triggering domestic shifts in employment and manufacturing priorities.