TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwanese technology manufacturer ASUS (華碩) revealed Tuesday (April 8) that it has strategically bolstered its inventory levels to shield operations from looming market volatility in the United States, a region representing between 11% and 16% of the company's global revenue stream. The defensive business maneuver comes just hours before Washington's implementation of new reciprocal tariffs scheduled to take effect Wednesday, measures that could push the combined tax burden on products assembled in China to a staggering 104%, sending shockwaves through computer manufacturers with significant American export channels.
Company executives underscored ASUS's vigilant approach to tracking policy shifts and tax modifications, pledging to implement nimble adjustments to inventory controls, supply chain arrangements, and product pricing to preserve market competitiveness amid the challenging trade environment. The technology firm offered a measured assessment of current global market conditions, highlighting persistent strong demand for products featuring new graphics chip architectures and confirming its strategic focus on directing product shipments toward regions experiencing supply shortages.
Fellow Taiwanese computer manufacturer Acer (宏碁) reaffirmed its parallel approach to navigating the trade tensions, emphasizing ongoing coordination with both customers and supply chain partners while factoring in market demand patterns, competitive landscapes, and product portfolio considerations to determine appropriate responses. Financial disclosures from Acer's recent institutional investor presentation revealed the Americas region generated 25.5% of the company's 2024 revenue, positioning it as Acer's second-largest market behind the combined Pan-Pacific Asia and Japan territories, which contributed 50.7% of total earnings.