Taiwan-Europe Trade Push: Taiwan’s top diplomat Lin Chia-lung wrapped up a six-day Poland and Italy trip, leading a trade delegation focused on semiconductors, ICT and advanced manufacturing, and announcing Taiwan Language Centers across Europe to boost Mandarin education and talent exchange. AI Market Mood: Jefferies says the biggest risk to the AI trade isn’t chip supply, but investors realizing hyperscalers and major labs may struggle to earn returns—while Hong Kong IPO/placements activity tied to AI continues to surge. Semiconductor Supply Chain Pressure: A new report highlights advanced chip packaging as a growing bottleneck for AI systems, with TSMC both manufacturing and packaging most leading-edge chips—raising strategic concerns as demand strains capacity. Cross-Strait Security Watch: Taiwan’s defense ministry reported continued Chinese naval activity around the island, with multiple PLAN vessels detected over 24 hours after recent combat readiness drills. Regional Energy Cost Hit: Asia’s food vendors are feeling higher plastic costs as Middle East war-linked energy disruptions tighten petrochemical supply, pushing up bag and container prices in markets including Taipei. Global Capital Flows: FIIs are cautiously returning to India as the rupee stabilizes and volatility in South Korea and Taiwan eases, underscoring how Taiwan-linked tech swings can ripple into broader emerging-market money.