Taiwanese exporters are responding with cautious pragmatism after the Trump administration announced a new 20% reciprocal tariff rate on Taiwan. The rate represents a reduction from the initially proposed 32%, but remains higher than the 15% rates assigned to Japan and South Korea. While the policy adds fresh pressure to Taiwan’s trade-heavy economy, local industries say the blow is manageable thanks to early diversification efforts and well-prepared contingency strategies.

Riding a wave of surging demand for low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications, Universal Microwave Technology (UMT) posted record revenue in the first half of 2025, showcasing robust growth momentum. The company’s consolidated revenue reached NT$1.13 billion (approx. US$37.7 million), marking a historic high for the period. Notably, LEO satellite products accounted for 52.7% of total revenue, underscoring the segment’s emergence as the key growth driver.

As the global semiconductor arms race intensifies, China’s homegrown players are racing to localize critical chipmaking tools. One standout is Shanghai Yuliangsheng Technology Co., a three-year-old startup that has quietly positioned itself as a rising contender in the highly specialized field of photolithography systems.