Target and Best Buy CEOs warn of imminent price increases due to Trump's new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China. Target relies heavily on Mexican produce during winter, while Best Buy sources significantly from both Mexico and China. The tariffs include a 25% tax on Canadian and Mexican imports, plus an additional 10% tax on Chinese goods.
A developer documents their journey of building a custom ergonomic keyboard from scratch, including PCB design, aluminum enclosure machining, and custom keycap creation. The project involved learning hardware design, electronics, and various manufacturing processes, resulting in a successful low-profile keyboard with custom-designed components.
TSMC announced plans to invest over $100 billion in expanding its U.S. chip manufacturing operations, including three new chip plants, two packaging facilities, and an R&D center in Arizona. The significant expansion was announced jointly by TSMC CEO C.C. Wei and President Trump at the White House.
Reports indicate a potential economic slowdown in America coinciding with Trump's presidency, driven by protectionist policies and erratic decision-making. Early analysis suggests that Trump's arrival at the White House may be both causing and correlating with economic weakness, contrasting with his inaugural promise of American prosperity.
Jet engine development represents one of engineering's toughest challenges, requiring extraordinary performance at low cost while operating near technological limits. Modern engines must achieve high efficiency, reliability, and safety across diverse conditions, with development costs reaching billions and taking decades to yield returns. The complexity and precision required in both design and manufacturing means only a handful of companies worldwide can successfully produce commercial jet engines.
A Y Combinator-backed startup, Optifye.ai, has developed an AI surveillance system that monitors factory workers' movements and productivity through computer vision. The system, created by Duke University students from manufacturing families, allows supervisors to track worker efficiency in real-time and confront underperforming employees directly. The technology raises concerns about worker privacy and workplace conditions, similar to existing surveillance systems in remote work and Amazon warehouses.
Apple announced plans to create 20,000 new US jobs and invest $500 billion domestically over four years, including AI server production in Texas. The announcement follows a meeting between CEO Tim Cook and President Trump amid ongoing concerns about Chinese tariffs.
BYD has produced its first solid-state battery cells on a pilot line in 2024, with mass demonstration expected around 2027 and large-scale production after 2030. The company is focusing on sulphide electrolytes for solid-state cells, aiming to achieve cost parity with current NCM cells at scale. BYD plans to use these batteries primarily in high-end models while maintaining LFP cells for other vehicle segments.
Multiple Executive Orders in early 2025 introduced significant tariff changes, including a 25% tariff on Mexico/Canada imports (currently paused) and an additional 10% tariff on China/Hong Kong imports. Steel and aluminum tariffs were amended to 25% for all imports, while various products face increased tariffs ranging from 25% to 100% through 2026.
European concerns about US tech dominance and soft power are rising following recent events, leading to active exploration of alternatives to US-based technologies and financial systems. Business leaders and media outlets are discussing potential shifts away from US tech dependencies, signaling significant implications for global tech dynamics.