Asia Pacific
Forty Companies, Two Targets, One Message: Beijing Is Done Waiting
China blacklists 40 Japanese firms over Taiwan as Trump's 15% tariff takes effect. Section 301 probes and a suspended rare earth truce raise the stakes.
Economy
China’s Semiconductor Output Surges 85% to Record 484 Billion Units
China produced a record 484.3 billion semiconductor units in 2024 — an 85% surge from 2020. Surging output masks collapsing foundry profits, a secret EUV prototype in Shenzhen, and a $47.5 billion state fund betting on self-sufficiency.
Asia Pacific
Canada Turns to Asia as Trump Tariffs Crush Detroit Auto Jobs
Detroit Three make just 23% of Canada's cars, down from 56%. Ottawa courts BYD and Chery, cuts Chinese EV tariffs to 6.1% as Detroit retreats.
Asia Pacific
Musk Targets South Korea’s Chip Talent in Rare Direct Appeal
Musk personally recruits Samsung chip engineers on X months after signing a $16.5B Tesla deal, alarming Seoul over its 70% memory market dominance.
Asia Pacific
Singapore Exports Surge 9.3% on AI Chip Demand
Singapore's exports grew 9.3% in January 2026, driven by 56.1% surge in electronics amid strong AI-related demand
Asia Pacific
Seoul Telecom Wars: SK Gains 340,000 Customers After KT Data Breach
SK Telecom gained 342,000 customers in January as rival KT waived termination fees following data breach, reshaping Korea's telecom market
Asia Pacific
Malaysia Bans E-Waste Imports in Southeast Asian Trade Crackdown
Malaysia imposes immediate ban on electronic waste imports, declaring it won't be a 'dumping ground' for toxic scrap
Economy
Korean Dermatology Clinics See 132% Surge in Chinese Medical Tourists
Chinese medical tourists flood Korean dermatology clinics for 40% cost savings, driving 132% surge in cross-border treatments despite weak domestic spending
Economy
South Korea Commits $317 Million to Autonomous Driving Technology
South Korea allocates $317.6 million for autonomous driving tech while Hong Kong establishes new working group, highlighting Asia Pacific's push into self-driving vehicles.
Asia Pacific
Philippines Defends Second Place in Global IT Outsourcing Market
Philippines maintains second place in global IT outsourcing but faces intensifying competition from Vietnam and Malaysia in Asia Pacific's booming tech sector.
Asia Pacific
South Korea’s Top Court Forces Samsung to Include Bonuses in Severance Pay
South Korea's Supreme Court rules Samsung must include performance bonuses in severance pay calculations, potentially affecting Asia Pacific employment practices.
