ATLANTA -- Calling the tariffs levied by the US and China "crippling," the Electronic Components Industry Association said sales sentiment plummeted in April.

The overall component average index score collapsed by 18.8 points between March and April as it plunged to 94.7, 16.6 points below expectations, according to ECIA's monthly survey of manufacturers and distributors. The trade group expects the slide to continue into May, as the outlook calls for an additional drop of 11 points, down to 83.7.

The overall index score as well as each of the individual segment index scores fell to their lowest point since December 2023, ECIA added.

Electronics component manufacturers and distributors are now dedicated to preventing this daunting, complex tariff environment from wreaking havoc on the supply chain, ECIA said in a statement. “The hopeful start to 2025 has hit an unexpected wall,” said Dale Ford, ECIA chief analyst. “It appears that government policy will dictate the fortunes of the market for the foreseeable future.”