Semiconductor News 20250514

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1. While there are signs of easing trade tensions between the U.S. and China, which could ease pressure on supply chains through trade negotiations, caution remains for supply chains in the technology sector. Uncertainty remains regarding the future of tariffs.
2. NVIDIA, a leader in the AI semiconductor market, has been aggressive, partnering with a Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund subsidiary to build AI infrastructure; there are reports that it may adopt Samsung’s 2nm process technology and that it will establish its headquarters in Taiwan.
3. AMD is strengthening its competitiveness in the CPU and GPU markets by developing next-generation GPU architectures and introducing the new EPYC 4005 series of server processors for small and medium-sized businesses.
4. Samsung is reportedly increasing its presence in the foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) business, as it is increasingly likely to win large orders from major customers such as NVIDIA and Qualcomm with its cutting-edge 2nm process technology.
5. The focus on the AI sector remains high, with many companies focusing on developing AI-related technologies and launching products. In the U.S., proposed export restrictions on AI semiconductors have been withdrawn and alternatives are being considered.
6. Global manufacturing supply chain restructuring is underway, and it has been noted that Taiwanese technology companies in particular could benefit from this trend. There are also moves to strengthen the industry in various regions, including the expansion of Vietnam’s first domestically-capitalized IC back-end facility.
7. The appearance of new game consoles is boosting the performance of related component manufacturers, but the impact of tariffs and other factors must also be considered. Information on GDDR7 memory for next-generation GPUs is also emerging.
8. There have been reports of moves toward management efficiency and reorganization at major technology companies, such as Microsoft’s announcement of plans to cut some of its worldwide workforce.
9. The back-end of semiconductors, especially the development of advanced packaging technology, is becoming more important, with Rapidus working on new back-end technologies and Intel entering the OSAT (semiconductor back-end outsourcing services) business, among other developments.
10. The U.S. silicon carbide industry is reported to be facing challenges in the face of increasing competition from China, while still having protection from tariffs.

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