Semiconductor Expansion: Infineon opened its €5B Smart Power Fab in Dresden ahead of schedule, doubling Dresden capacity and adding 1,000 jobs to scale power semiconductors for AI data centres, EVs and clean energy. Industrial Automation & Robotics: SKF will form a China JV with Leaderdrive to make high-precision transmission components for robotic joints, targeting humanoid-robot industrial use and mass production readiness by 2026. India Manufacturing Push: India’s government unveiled plans for modern toy testing facilities across manufacturing clusters to boost BIS-aligned quality, skills and MSME competitiveness for exports. Maritime Supply Chain: Maersk placed an order for 1,000 EXIM-grade containers from India’s DCM Shriram, a first for a global carrier and a step toward reducing import dependence. Policy on Critical Power Imports: India granted a two-year tender exemption to four China-linked power equipment makers with local plants, allowing bids on critical grid projects despite border-related procurement curbs. AI Hardware Manufacturing: Anthropic is reportedly in talks with Samsung to manufacture a custom AI chip, as the race for compute independence intensifies. Corporate Manufacturing Growth: East West Manufacturing acquired Vexos to expand high-mix electronics manufacturing and regulated-industry capacity across the Americas and Asia. Market Signals: UK manufacturing activity cooled in June as stockpiling tailwinds faded, while Vietnam’s manufacturing kept growing in June with easing inflation and steadier new orders.