Malaysia and the broader 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations have emerged as the biggest beneficiaries of the supply chain realignment caused by rising US-China tensions, according to Trade Minister Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Amid the global supply chain realignment, Vietnam has emerged as a new link in the value chain for electronics manufacturing, inspiring some to imagine Vietnam's intention to develop its own semiconductor industry.

After a rocky start that resulted in financial loss in the first quarter, Global Lighting Technologies (GLT), a leader in light guide plate technology (LGP), reported a turn-around in the second quarter. Chairman Lee Mang-Shiang expects similar performance in the third quarter as the second, and despite the low visibility, better revenue could be possible in the fourth quarter.

Taiwan's electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, including companies such as Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry) and Kymco (Kwang Yang Motor), is looking to adopt a new industry model and not just contract manufacturing in an effort to accelerate overseas deployments, according to industry sources.

Canalys research reveals that the Southeast Asia smartphone market fell 15% on-year in the second quarter of 2023 to 20.9 million units, the lowest shipment since 2014, as the unfavorable macroeconomic conditions continued. This led to an increase in old stock, stifling new initiatives and inventory from vendors and a lackluster festive season.

Infineon's German headquarters confirmed to DIGITIMES that it had certified the automotive-grade SiC produced by China-based material suppliers SICC and TankeBlue earlier than expected. Infineon also said it had started delivering the SiC products to global customers.

Unitech Printed Circuit Board is actively pursuing orders for AI accelerator cards and other AI-related devices in an effort to join the industry's supply chain by 2024, according to company VP and spokesperson Kanty Wu.

Optical components maker Asia Optical has disclosed plans to open a second plant in the Philippines, with the new facility scheduled to come online around the end of 2024.

President Joe Biden will travel to Vietnam in September, where he will meet with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other leaders, the White House announced on Monday.

Many Taiwan-based companies have expanded to Southeast Asia and India, leveraging the lower labor and land costs. As automotive electrification continues, China-based EV suppliers have also entered those emerging markets. Sources said the customers that Taiwanese and Chinese companies target are different.

Taiwan-based notebook maker Twinhead expects its Durabook brand ruggedized notebooks to enjoy increasing orders as governments worldwide are raising their expenses for national defense, affected by the war between Russia and Ukraine, according to company president Fred Kao.

The US's friendshoring policy has resulted in Western and Japanese companies moving their supply chains out of China to Southeast Asia (SEA) and Mexico. However, Chinese companies have also significantly enhanced their investments in the aforementioned regions.

With the global manufacturing industry moving toward net-zero carbon emissions, Taiwan-based electric machinery company TECO is transforming into a solution provider to help its customers meet the standards of green and smart manufacturing.

Hot-melt adhesive (HMA) specialist Tex Year Industries expects demand from the Chinese market to pick up in the second half of 2023, and has expressed optimism regarding demand from Vietnam and India.