Around US 結果共11筆

Taiwan’s export performance reached a historic high from 2021 to 2023, but experienced a 9.8% decline in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Finance. Despite this setback, exports to the U.S. continued to soar with a 49.7% year-on-year increase, while exports to countries covered by Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy also saw significant growth. However, exports to mainland China decreased to 35.2%. Taiwan’s total export tally for 2023 amounted to US$432.48 billion, ranking behind only 2022 and 2021. The demand for communications and electronic products during the pandemic-induced work-from-home trend boosted Taiwan’s exports. The Taiwan Institute of Economic Research predicted significant international trade growth in 2024, which would benefit export-oriented economies like Taiwan. In December 2023, Taiwan’s exports to the U.S. reached $8.49 billion, and exports to southern countries surged by over 50%. However, due to the limited coverage of free trade agreements (FTAs), many traditional Taiwanese industries chose to restructure risks and production in Southeast and South Asia. The return of Taiwanese businesses and the expansion of local factories after the U.S.-China trade war, as well as global economic circumstances, significantly impacted the decline in 2023 exports. The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) estimated the first-quarter export volume for 2024 to be around US$106.1 billion, which is an improvement compared to the same period in 2023, but a 10% decrease from 2022.

Taiwan’s stock market rose to 17,595.01 on Friday morning, despite Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) shares falling to NT＄578. This contrasts with major U.S. stock indices, as the Dow Jones rose by 10.15 points while the Nasdaq fell by 81.91 points. TSMC’s American Depositary Receipt (ADR) price also dropped below US＄100 to US＄99.13, causing a decline of around 1.04%. This decrease in TSMC’s value affected the main index by approximately 16 points, and its market capitalization dipped below NT＄15 trillion. Meanwhile, Asus Chairman Jonney Shih announced the company’s intensified efforts in artificial intelligence (A.I.) development, resulting in Asus shares rising by 6 points to open at NT＄460.

Taiwan’s investments in New Southbound countries in the first 11 months of 2023 have surpassed investments in Mainland China, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). Investments in the New Southbound countries reached US＄5.13 billion, a 7.26% year-on-year increase, outstripping investments in Mainland China, which stood at US＄2.96 billion. This trend is driven by the supply chain diversification, accelerated by the U.S.-China trade war and major manufacturers’ strategies to decentralize operations. Investments in New Southbound countries now account for around 20% of Taiwan’s total overseas investments, whereas China accounts for approximately 11.5%. From January to November 2023, there were 2,102 approved cases of overseas-focused investments by Taiwanese and foreign entities, a decrease of 8.89% compared to last year. The amount invested reached about US＄10.8 billion (approximately NT＄323.7 billion), the second-highest for the period in the last 15 years but still representing a 13.04% decline from the previous year. Investments from New Southbound countries into Taiwan saw 609 approved cases within the same timeframe, an annual increase of 41.30%. The investment totaled approximately US＄2.5 billion (about NT＄75.7 billion), up 25.20% from the previous year, with the most significant inflows originating from Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. On a broader scale, the 504 approved cases of outbound investments from Taiwan marked a 2.44% annual increase, surging by 145.61% financially to roughly US＄22.8 billion (approximately NT＄684.4 billion). Investments in New Southbound countries revealed 195 approved cases, rising by 35.42% year-on-year, totaling around US＄5.1 billion (approximately NT＄ 154.1 billion) and constituting 20% of Taiwan’s total foreign investments. Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand were the leading recipients. Conversely, approved investments in Mainland China amounted to 305 cases, down by 7.58%, with the approved investment sum decreasing by 33.91% to approximately US＄2.96 billion (about NT＄88.9 billion). Mainland Chinese investments in Taiwan experienced a 45.45% decline in approved cases to 24, with the investment figure falling 21.65% to about US＄27.4 million (approximately NT＄821.6 million).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) spokesperson expressed gratitude for the concern shown by friends in the U.S. Congress regarding Taiwan’s security. The U.S. military has observed increased provocative actions by China around the Taiwan Strait ahead of the Taiwanese presidential election. Admiral John Aquilino, head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, has called for restraint from China, perceiving these actions as pressure tactics. U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher urged the Pentagon to provide a classified briefing on assisting Taiwan in deterring China. Taiwan is committed to bolstering its self-defense capabilities and pursuing peace through dialogue with Beijing authorities. Despite pressure, Taiwan will maintain a non-provocative stance while defending national sovereignty and democratic freedom. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry expressed regret over China’s threats of countermeasures against U.S. firms involved in arms sales to Taiwan and emphasized the need for the U.S. to fulfill its security promises.

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang announces collaboration with Vietnamese technological firms to support Vietnam in AI talent cultivation and digital infrastructure development. Huang expresses interest in establishing a base in Vietnam during a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. NVIDIA has already invested around US＄250 million in Vietnam and recognizes the country’s potential in the IT sector. Huang identifies Viettel Telecom, FPT Software, Vingroup, and VNG Corporation as specific partners for expanded cooperation.

McDonald’s plans to open 10,000 new restaurants by the end of 2027, aiming to attract 100 million additional members. This expansion includes 900 new outlets in the U.S., 1,900 in International Operated Markets (IOM), and around 7,000 in International Developmental Licensed (IDL) markets. The company expects its membership to increase from 150 million to 250 million, driven by the success of its ＂MyMcDonald’s Rewards＂ program, which generated over US$20 billion in sales last year. Currently, McDonald’s operates 41,198 restaurants worldwide, according to its latest quarterly financial report.

Taipei stock market remains steady around 17,360 points following a downturn in the US stock market. TSMC, the leading semiconductor foundry service provider, sees a rise of NT$3 to reach NT$573. Other semiconductor companies like UMC, PSMC, and VIS also experience modest gains. Additionally, electronic stocks like MediaTek show strength with a 1.4% increase to NT$940. Cable stocks outperform, while other sectors show slight fluctuations.

Rising cross-strait tensions have become a concern for many democracies around the world. As China increases its military drills surrounding Taiwan, former U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper advises Taiwan to boost its defense budget to enhance asymmetric warfare capabilities. 

離開老東家CUBE娛樂後設立新企劃公司Around US Ent的南韓男團BEAST成員，因隊名「BEAST」被老東家註冊為專有商標，他們感到很無奈。

韓國男團BEAST離開經紀公司Cube娛樂，自組Around Us娛樂並準備開啟事業第二章，但「BEAST」名稱商標權仍歸屬前公司，尹斗俊、梁耀燮、龍俊亨、李起光與孫東雲目前處於「無團名時期」。

韓國男團「BEAST」出道至今已有7年，前成員「賢勝」在今年4月退出後，其他5名成員尹斗俊、龍俊亨、梁耀燮、李起光和孫東雲，則在合約約滿後未與公司續約，日前傳出決定自立門戶成立新公司。目前，新公司已經正式成立，名稱就訂為「Around US」娛樂公司，靈感就來自於粉絲。