Samsung HBM4 Starts World's First Mass Production, Global Trade Order Reshuffling Accelerates

Investment Implications

Global Trade Is Shifting from 'Efficiency' to 'Blocs'

As nations prioritize their own interests, globalization is retreating. On top of this megatrend, multiple shifts are happening simultaneously.

The EU is strengthening its own economic bloc in response to US tariffs and building alternative trade partnerships. Middle powers like Canada and Mexico are choosing strategic ambiguity between the US and China, cooperating with both sides. At the same time, BRICS+ expansion is accelerating discussions on dollar-bypass payment systems. The fact that the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is starting to threaten the margins of Indian steel exporters shows that carbon costs have entered a stage where they actually reshape trade flows.

These changes are not just tariff disputes. New trade regulation tools like carbon border taxes and digital taxes are being applied discriminatorily between economic blocs, reshaping the global trade structure itself. This is being accelerated by the realignment of strategic alliances around energy security and the fragmentation of technology standards into a US-EU-China tripolar system.

Non-China supply chain infrastructure firms and alternative payment infrastructure companies are likely to see structural benefits. For Indian manufacturing, CBAM will create short-term cost burdens upfront, but companies that proactively address emission reductions should be able to secure relative competitiveness in the new trade order.

Key Developments

Technology

Samsung Electronics to Start World's First 6th-Generation HBM4 Mass Production This Month

Samsung will be the first in the world to start mass production of the latest generation of High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), essential for AI computation. (Source: Yonhap News)

India Changes Deep Tech Startup Regulations, Mobilizes Public Capital

India is changing regulations and injecting public capital for deep tech startups in space, semiconductors, biotech, and other sectors that require long maturation periods. (Source: TechCrunch)

Japan's UACJ Announces Plan to Domestically Produce Key H3 Rocket Components

UACJ, Japan's largest aluminum rolling company, plans to manufacture key components for the H3 rocket domestically. This follows the Japanese government's policy to increase space launch frequency. (Source: Nikkei Asia)

AI Technology Use Expands Further in 2026 Super Bowl Ads

Ads using AI to create content or promoting AI products themselves increased compared to last year. (Source: TechCrunch)

Economy

Gold Price Hits All-Time High of $5,600 Per Ounce, Then Corrects Below $5,000

After reaching an all-time high of $5,600 per ounce on January 29, gold corrected to below $5,000 on Sunday. Safe-haven demand remains strong amid economic uncertainty. (Source: Al Jazeera)

ASEAN Currency Polarization Deepens: Baht and Ringgit Strong vs Rupiah and Peso Weak

The Thai baht and Malaysian ringgit are showing strength as beneficiaries of changes in investment and trade flows, while the Indonesian rupiah and Philippine peso are weak. (Source: Nikkei Asia)

South Korea's Auto Parts Exports to US See First Decline in 5 Years in 2025

Exports of auto parts to the US declined for the first time in five years due to increased local procurement and tariff responses. (Source: Yonhap News)

Bithumb Compensates Panic Selling Victims After Erroneous Transfer of 620,000 Bitcoin

Bithumb announced customer compensation for panic selling triggered by an internal transfer error that mistakenly sent 620,000 bitcoin. (Source: Yonhap News)

EU Strengthens Economic Bloc, Middle Powers Choose Strategic Ambiguity with Bilateral Approach

The EU is building alternative trade partnerships in response to US tariffs, while middle powers like Canada and Mexico are choosing a strategy of cooperating with both sides amid US-China tensions. Discussions on dollar-bypass payment systems through BRICS+ expansion are also accelerating. (Source: YouTube/Globe News Room)

Environment

EU CBAM Threatens Margins of Indian Steel Exporters - Emission Reduction Essential

The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is threatening the margins of Indian steel exporters, making it difficult to maintain competitiveness without emission reductions. (Source: OilPrice)

UK Massively Expands Wind Power, Pushes Shared Offshore Grid in North Sea

The UK is massively expanding its wind power capacity and pushing a plan to build a multinational shared offshore power network in the North Sea. (Source: OilPrice)

Utility-Scale Renewable Projects Face Intensifying Conflicts Over Land, Ecosystems, and Communities

Large-scale renewable energy projects essential for decarbonization are intensifying conflicts with land use, ecosystems, and local communities, making site acquisition increasingly difficult. (Source: OilPrice)

Politics

Japan Election: PM Takaichi's LDP Coalition Wins 2/3 Supermajority

With 103 million eligible voters participating in heavy snow, Prime Minister Takaichi's LDP coalition secured a 2/3 supermajority. This is expected to strengthen momentum for major policies including constitutional amendment. (Source: Nikkei Asia, CNBC)

Thailand Election: Ruling Bhumjaithai Party Declares Victory

The ruling Bhumjaithai Party declared victory in Thailand's election, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expected to remain in power. (Source: Nikkei Asia)

Iran Says Ready for Nuclear Deal with US - With Peaceful Enrichment Condition

Iran's Foreign Minister stated readiness for a nuclear deal with the US on the condition of peaceful uranium enrichment, with next round of nuclear talks scheduled in Oman next week. (Source: Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera)

South Korean President Expresses Concern Over Bulk Home Purchase Regulations

President Lee Jae-myung expressed concern over regulations allowing large-scale residential property purchases. The comment is aimed at curbing Seoul real estate overheating. (Source: Yonhap News)

South Korean Prime Minister Discusses Special Law for US Investment Commitments with Presidential Chief of Staff and Ruling Party Leader

The Prime Minister held a meeting with the Presidential Chief of Staff and Democratic Party leader to discuss a special law to implement South Korea's investment commitments to the US. (Source: Yonhap News)

US Oil Blockade Creates Energy Crisis in Cuba: Fuel Rationing, 11 Million Citizens Paralyzed

The US oil blockade has led to fuel rationing and prolonged blackouts in Cuba, paralyzing the lives of 11 million citizens. (Source: Al Jazeera)