The microchips used in cars are in short supply. Taiwanese Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua tells NPR that Taiwan's cutting-edge chipmakers have ramped up production to meet auto industry demand.
Wuhan Hongxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. was supposed to be one of China's most advanced chipmakers. Now it's bankrupt — a big flop at a time when the country seeks technological self-reliance.
The Trump administration issued tough export rules this month, which analysts say could spell a death knell for the company's worldwide mobile network ambitions.
Dozens of workers have reportedly developed cancer and other afflictions at the world's largest chip-maker. The company stopped short of saying it directly caused the illnesses.
The smartphone chipmaker has agreed to buy NXP Semiconductors for $38 billion. The deal allows Qualcomm to rely less on the smartphone industry. NXP makes semiconductors for cars.