What changed, why it matters, and what most people may be overlooking.
The law taking effect September 13 broadens prosecution beyond North Korea and sets a minimum three-year prison term, raising compliance stakes across chips, batteries, displays and AI.
Cumulative exports reached $709.4 billion by September 5, exceeding all of 2025, as semiconductor shipments surged 169.6%—a record that also exposes the economy to one powerful cycle.
AI semiconductor sales more than tripled and total revenue reached $29.6 billion, yet the market's muted reaction shows that explosive growth is already embedded in the valuation debate.
The contracts offer demand visibility, but they also reveal why optical connectivity and specialised substrates may become the next AI infrastructure constraint.