Kumamoto launches semiconductor science park plan with TSMC-led hub at its core

In late March 2025, Kumamoto Prefecture unveiled the Kumamoto Science Park Promotion Vision, a plan to build a semiconductor-centered science park alongside a broader innovation ecosystem. The initiative seeks to establish a public-private industrial base that promotes collaboration among semiconductor companies, research institutions, and advanced tech firms.

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US tariffs on Chinese lithium battery materials create winners and losers in global supply chain

The US has intensified tariffs on Chinese lithium battery materials, beginning with the Inflation Reduction Act under the Biden administration and continuing with President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs. With combined tax rates now exceeding 80% for Chinese exports to the US, the global supply chain landscape is shifting dramatically.

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As Trump slams Taiwan with 32% tariffs, startup group unveils five-point plan to shield SMEs

US President Donald Trump has declared a national economic emergency and implemented a policy of reciprocal tariffs. The US is imposing a baseline tariff of 10% on all countries, with higher tariffs on nations with significant trade deficits. Taiwan, due to its substantial trade surplus with the US, faces a 32% tariff, a blow that threatens to reverberate across its small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

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China’s aggressive SiC price war set to halve cost by 2025

The Sino-US trade war has accelerated global competition in compound semiconductors, with Chinese manufacturers now aggressively targeting price reductions in silicon carbide (SiC) substrates. According to industry reports, mainland Chinese producers aim to slash 8-inch SiC substrate prices by half by 2025, potentially dropping to around US$700 per piece from the current US$1,500.

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Shift in Taiwanese manufacturers’ investment strategy under Trump’s policies

The US is the world’s largest economy, and following Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, there have been significant changes across various policies, including trade, domestic affairs, foreign relations, and research funding. Even during Joe Biden’s administration, Taiwanese companies were compelled to take sides due to the US’s efforts to contain China’s technological development. The proportion of Taiwan’s investment in China has dropped from 83.8% in 2010 to just 8% by 2024, with little chance of reversal in the coming years.

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