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Economy

Moldova revs up its ‘digital engine’ as IT sector growth accelerates

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The IT sector in Moldova, a small country in eastern Europe, contributes 6 percent to the national GDP – a result that reflects the efficiency and impact of the ecosystem created by the Moldova Innovation Technology Park (MITP).

The data were presented by Marina Bzovîi, administrator of MITP, at the Moldova Digital Summit 2025, confirming the essential role of the Park in the digital transformation of the Republic of Moldova.

With 2024 marked by record performance, MITP expects a clear upward trajectory for 2025, supported by the accelerated expansion of the resident base and the increase in revenues generated by the IT sector. [Read more…] about Moldova revs up its ‘digital engine’ as IT sector growth accelerates

Trump announces plans to reduce tariffs on China

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President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will “substantially” reduce tariffs on Chinese imports, in a move that could mark a shift in the long-running trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies. 

Speaking on April 22, Trump said that although the tariffs would be lowered significantly, they “won’t be zero”, indicating a continued effort to protect certain domestic industries.

Currently, the US imposes tariffs of up to 145 percent on Chinese goods – levels that some within the administration have acknowledged are economically unsustainable. [Read more…] about Trump announces plans to reduce tariffs on China

Will the 90-day tariff pause spark a manufacturing exodus from China?

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With President Trump back in office and reaffirming his commitment to reshoring US manufacturing, the White House has implemented a 90-day pause on tariffs for all countries except China.

While framed as a temporary measure, the move could prove to be a turning point in global manufacturing strategy.

The central question now is: Will companies use this brief window to quietly shift operations out of China – and perhaps even back to the US? [Read more…] about Will the 90-day tariff pause spark a manufacturing exodus from China?

How trade wars could impact global automation supply chains and robotics companies

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The global robotics and automation industry is deeply interconnected, relying on highly optimized supply chains that span continents.

But as geopolitical tensions rise and trade wars escalate – particularly between the US and China – these supply chains face mounting pressure.

Tariffs, export restrictions, and shifting trade alliances are not only disrupting component flows but also forcing major players in the robotics sector to rethink their manufacturing and sourcing strategies. [Read more…] about How trade wars could impact global automation supply chains and robotics companies

Will Trump’s plan to reshore US manufacturing succeed?

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President Donald Trump’s renewed push to bring manufacturing back to the United States – anchored by sweeping tariffs and nationalist economic policies – has reignited debate over whether such strategies can truly revitalize American industry.

While the administration touts tariffs as a tool to protect domestic jobs and reduce trade deficits, critics argue that the approach is economically disruptive and unlikely to deliver the promised manufacturing renaissance.​ [Read more…] about Will Trump’s plan to reshore US manufacturing succeed?

Trump pauses tariffs for 90 days for most nations, escalates duties on Chinese imports

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In a significant shift in US trade policy, President Donald Trump has declared a 90-day suspension of elevated tariffs on most countries, while concurrently intensifying tariffs on Chinese imports to 125 percent.

This move comes amid global economic uncertainty and mounting pressure from international allies, domestic lawmakers, and financial markets. [Read more…] about Trump pauses tariffs for 90 days for most nations, escalates duties on Chinese imports

Trump grants tariff exemptions for Apple and other tech firms

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President Donald Trump has rolled back some of his most aggressive trade measures by granting tariff exemptions for a range of consumer electronics, offering critical relief to companies such as Apple, Dell, and Nvidia.

In guidance issued late Friday, the US Customs and Border Protection agency confirmed that smartphones, laptops, computer chips, and other electronics would be excluded from the administration’s latest round of reciprocal tariffs targeting China.

The exemptions apply retroactively from April 5 and cover approximately 20 product categories. [Read more…] about Trump grants tariff exemptions for Apple and other tech firms

Automotive revolution: Innovation, industrial autonomy, and global challenges

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By Laurent Coussonnet, business development director, Linxens

The automotive industry is at a crossroads: between technological innovations and environmental challenges, it must reinvent its models for a sustainable future. But which regions, technologies, and policies will shape this global revolution?

Despite a 10 percent growth in 2023, global car sales are expected to slow to 2-3 percent in 2024, far from pre-pandemic levels.

Electric vehicles (EVs), the drivers of this transition, saw record growth of 32 percent in 2023, but rising interest rates and stricter credit conditions will weigh on the ability of households and businesses to finance capacities, postponing some vehicle purchases to 2025. [Read more…] about Automotive revolution: Innovation, industrial autonomy, and global challenges

What happened to Germany? Manufacturing giant crumbles before our eyes

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Germany, often hailed as Europe’s economic powerhouse, is grappling with a significant downturn in its manufacturing sector. Once the cornerstone of its robust economy, manufacturing is now facing serious challenges that threaten the stability of the wider economy.

Germany is of particular interest to this website for obvious reasons. Apart from Japan, Germany has shown itself – or at least the manufacturing sector has shown itself – to be the most highly proficient at using robotics and automation technologies. That’s our opinion anyway.

And while China may have overloaded the world with manufactured products in every category you can imagine, German products still inspire confidence in people who appreciate precision, quality and originality. [Read more…] about What happened to Germany? Manufacturing giant crumbles before our eyes

Opinion: Exploring the correlation between robotics utilisation and economic growth

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Here at RoboticsAndAutomationNews.com, we often wonder about the relationship between a nation’s reported economic growth and its utilisation of robotics and automation systems. We have a hunch that the more automated machines a country integrates into its economy, the more growth it experiences. We can’t say we prove this hunch in this article, but we think most readers will agree that it is an important correlation that deserves some investigation.

Economic growth sounds like a concept that’s easy to understand, but we don’t think it’s as straightforward as it seems. Each nation and region has its own way of calculating what is called “economic growth”, and there are countless gears turning to drive nations’ economies forward.

Among these, automation – robotics being a sub-set of automation – has emerged as one of the most powerful engines for transforming many previously small economies into global payers. Over the past few decades, while being derided for using cheap labour to gain an advantage – which undoubtedly has happened, countries like China, Japan, and South Korea have surfed the automation wave to reach remarkable economic heights. [Read more…] about Opinion: Exploring the correlation between robotics utilisation and economic growth