US may exempt Amazon, Google, Microsoft from AI chip tariffs

The Trump administration is reportedly considering exempting major technology companies such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft from upcoming tariffs on chips as they build AI data centers, according to sources cited by The Financial Times.

The carve-outs would be provided by the Commerce Department and tied to investment commitments made by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, is investing $165 billion to build factories in Arizona.

All plans remain in the development stage and have not yet been signed by the President. Sources emphasised that the proposals are still being formulated.

Trump previously imposed a 25% tariff on imports of several advanced microchips.

He indicated these tariffs could soon be extended to a broader range of semiconductors and their derivatives. The development follows a recent US Department of Commerce announcement regarding Taiwanese investment.

Taiwanese companies have pledged to invest at least $250 billion in developing semiconductor, energy, and AI manufacturing within the United States.

The US and Taiwan also plan to create world-class industrial clusters.

This initiative aims to establish the United States as a global Hub for advanced technology, manufacturing, and innovation.

Reference Sources

1. thestarmy - US plans Big Tech carve-out from next chip tariffs, FT reports
2. thesunmy - US may exempt Amazon, Google, Microsoft from AI chip tariffs
3. Avoid Vote on Trump’s Tariffs

Vietnam's VinFast targets 300,000 EV sales in 2026, a 50% jump

Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast, a subsidiary of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup Jsc, is targeting a 50% increase in electric vehicle (EV) deliveries to 300,000 by 2026, with a target for breaking even.

The company expects more car sales in Indonesia, India, and the Philippines, while its target for electric Motorbikes is at least 2.5 times the 2025 figure (406,453 units), or around 1 million units.

VinFast's founder, Pham Nhat Vuong, has backstopped the EV producer with billions of his own funds, as well as by tapping the parent company, which has raised money by selling off some of its retail and Tech divisions.

VinFast had a net loss of 24 trillion dong ($951M) in the third quarter, an 81% rise from the year-earlier period.

It secured $100M in loans from Mufg Bank and $150M from Barclays Bank during that period.

The company will report 2025 results on March 16.

Vingroup sued social media Influencers last year after some said it was on the verge of bankruptcy with billions in debt.

The powerful conglomerate took the rare step of denying those rumors, as well as others accusing VinFast of disguising Chinese EVs as Vietnamese.

Reference Sources

1. malaymail - VinFast and Exposure SARL Sign Mou to Promote Green Transportation in The Democratic Republic of Congo
2. nikkei - Vietnam's VinFast targets 300,000 EV sales in 2026, a 50% jump

UK backs biggest English onshore windfarm in a decade among 190 green energy projects

The UK government has awarded contracts to a record number of solar, onshore wind, and tidal projects, including the largest onshore wind farm in England in a decade, as it aims to create a virtually zero-carbon power grid within four years.

The government said it would offer contracts to a record number of solar projects alongside support for onshore Windfarms, including the huge Imerys project near St Austell in Cornwall.

Labour lifted a de facto ban on new onshore Windfarms after returning to power in 2024. Contracts were awarded to 157 new solar farms and 28 new onshore wind farms after ministers doubled the amount of funding available to developers. Boosting Renewables is a key part of the government’s strategy to achieve a clean power grid by 2030, and solar energy is central to that plan, with 47 Gigawatts needed by then.

The cost of government support for new power projects is ultimately borne by consumers.

The UK government is pledging to spend up to £1 Bn on Community-Owned green energy schemes in an effort to combat growing scepticism and resistance to Renewables and grid upgrade projects.

Ed Miliband, the UK Energy Secretary, said the new funding was intended to help democratise the energy system, increase the wealth and financial independence of local communities, and potentially cut some local energy bills.

Reference Sources

1. theguardian - UK backs biggest English onshore windfarm in a decade among 190 green energy projects
2. bloomberg - Record UK Solar Auction Boosts Hopes of Reaching Clean-Grid Goal
3. telegraph - Miliband approves solar farm projects big enough to cover Manchester
4. theguardian - Miliband pledges up to 1bn for community green energy schemes
5. govuk - New auction delivers unprecedented clean, homegrown power

The CommonWealth English daily news digest is a service curated by CommonWealth English team with the help of AI tools.  

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Uploaded by Ian Huang