ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 26, 2025

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 26, 2025

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Begins amid Looming Uncertainty; Houthis to Pause Attacks
• China Imposes Provisional Duties on U.S., EU, Japan, Taiwan Industrial Plastics
• Taiwan Earthquake Causes Closure of TSMC Factories

Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Begins amid Looming Uncertainty; Houthis to Pause Attacks

The release of 90 Palestinians and three Israeli hostages marked the first phase of the Israel-Gaza ceasefire that began on Sunday. Displaced Palestinians have also started returning to their homes amid looming uncertainties regarding the truce. Meanwhile, a Houthi spokesperson has stated the armed group will pause attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea during the Israel-Hamas ceasefire but will resume in the event of any violations. Despite the pause, most shipment companies are unlikely to resume transiting the Red Sea until a longer-term solution to Houthi attacks.

China Imposes Provisional Duties on U.S., EU, Japan, Taiwan Industrial Plastics

China’s Commerce Ministry announced it would impose provisional levies on imports of industrial plastics from the United States, European Union (EU), Japan, and Taiwan after an anti-dumping probe. The provisional anti-dumping duties on polyacetal copolymers range from 3.8 percent to 74.9 percent depending on the country and company and will take effect from January 24, 2025. The highest duties will apply to U.S. firms, while the EU, Taiwan, and Japan will face duties of 42 percent, 32.6 percent, and 43.7 percent, respectively. China launched the investigation in May 2024, the same week that the United States increased tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and the EU initiated a trade probe into certain Chinese steel imports. The provisional levies were announced just days before President Donald Trump was due to take office, and he threatened tariff hikes on Chinese imports.

Taiwan Earthquake Causes Closure of TSMC Factories

A 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit a mountainous rural area of Taiwan’s southern region near the city of Chiayi, leaving at least 44 people with minor injuries. The quake had a depth of six miles with its epicenter in Dapu township, while several aftershocks were detected on January 21. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) evacuated staff at its central and southern Taiwan factories and said all its sites were operating following the quake. Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes. TSMC is arguably the world's biggest company and produces the most advanced forms of semiconductor chips.