Taiwan’s semiconductor firms brace for weaker Q3 amid tariff pressures

Several semiconductor firms in Taiwan are approaching the third quarter with caution, despite traditionally Q3 being a high-demand period, as US tariff moves cloud the industry outlook.

As per a report by Focus Taiwan, smartphone IC designer MediaTek Inc. said the rush of orders from clients in the first half of the year, triggered by fears over US tariffs, has left little room for the usual seasonal spike in demand. “Customers front-loaded purchases to avoid potential tariffs,” the company noted, warning that third-quarter revenue could fall by 7 to 13% from the previous quarter, landing between NTD 130.1 billion ($4.35 billion) and NTD 140 billion ($4.68 billion).