LCD TV panel rally fizzles under Trump tariffs, China trade-in policy fatigue

LCD TV panel prices are losing steam following a brief rally that began in late 2024, initially fueled by front-loaded orders. Rising inflation concerns and renewed tariff threats from US President Donald Trump are dampening global trade confidence, prompting consumers to pull back. At the same time, China’s trade-in policy is losing momentum, softening demand. As a result, both panel makers and TV brands are slowing their purchasing pace.

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Tokyo Electron forecasts stable semiconductor demand and expansion in AI chip equipment

Hiroshi Kawamoto, Division Officer, Finance Division of Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL), one of Japan’s leading semiconductor equipment manufacturers, projects that demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) equipment—vital for powering generative AI—will continue to grow. However, he anticipates that sales of front-end semiconductor manufacturing processes in 2025 will likely remain on par with 2024 levels.

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Trump’s tariff policy puts Taiwan’s automotive industry on a cliff edge

Since taking office, US President Donald Trump has aimed to restore America’s greatness through reciprocal tariffs. For the automotive industry, this is not only an issue of national pride but also one of economic substance. Under the pressure of these tariffs, Taiwan’s automotive sector now finds itself walking a fine line, with nearly 300,000 jobs at stake, depending on the government’s next move.

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Cutthroat and Cornered: China’s chip sector risk self-cannibalization

SEMICON China 2025 opened at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre to large crowds and packed booths, a full display of China’s forward momentum for its semiconductor industry. Beneath the prestige, however, domestic chip equipment makers are embroiled in a brutal price war, with some reportedly cutting prices to just 40% of list value in a scramble for market share.

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