Trump administration plans US$1.6 billion investment in US Rare Earth to reduce reliance on China

The Trump administration is planning to acquire a 10% equity stake in US rare earth mining company US Rare Earth through a combined debt-and-equity investment valued at approximately US$1.6 billion, according to multiple media reports. The move is aimed at reducing the US’s reliance on China for critical minerals while strengthening national security and high-tech supply chains.

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Rising precious metal costs prompt Taiwan LED makers to assess price hike

Rising precious metal prices are rippling through the LED industry, prompting Chinese manufacturers to issue price increase notices and pushing Taiwanese suppliers to consider similar moves. Taiwan-based LED maker Edison Opto has already announced broad price increases, while peers including Ennostar and Everlight Electronics are said to be internally evaluating their pricing strategies as cost pressures mount.

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AUO shifts US strategy from manufacturing base to market leverage

As global industrial landscapes restructure, Taiwanese companies are making record investments in the US, driven by a strategic shift from cost-cutting to resilience in supply chain management. AU Optronics (AUO) chairman and CEO Paul Peng underscored the necessity for Taiwanese firms to transition from passive manufacturing bases toward leveraging the US as a critical market, innovation center, and capital platform.

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Pegatron bullish on AI server industry, chair sees 2026 as breakout year

Booming demand for artificial intelligence (AI) servers has fueled strong momentum for electronic manufacturing services (EMS) firms, with the surge also reflected in capital markets. However, performance has varied widely among companies. Pegatron chairman TH Tung said that his company’s efforts over the past two to three years will pay off with triple-digit growth in 2026. He described the AI industry as entering a phase of aggressive expansion and expressed optimism that 2026 will be a year of unstoppable momentum.

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Memory innovation demand urgent as startups and SMEs gain opportunities

The memory industry is currently facing significant demand shortfalls, bringing renewed attention to the long-developed concept of “compute-in-memory.” Leading memory manufacturers are actively investing in related technology development. At the same time, major players are also focusing on startup teams in the market, aiming to secure innovation through strategic investments. Companies like d-Matrix and TetraMem have demonstrated promising growth potential.

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