“Without capacity, there is no growth.”

As I write this column, the duty rate for 2- and 4-layer rigid printed circuit boards manufactured in China stands at 145%, while 6-layer and above – along with all other technologies, whether rigid, flex or metal – remains at 170%.

AI chips could drive technical innovation in fields from PCB materials to district heating

The semiconductor business as we know it today represents a tremendous global success story, achieving consistent and strong growth year on year. Analysts expect it to exceed $1 trillion in sales by 2030, and some predict a further doubling over the following decade. The overall figures are extremely impressive, although some sectors are stronger than others. While automotive has enjoyed a strong run for many years as vehicles have electrified, recent performance fell below expectations.

Driven by tax incentives and tariffs, more US companies are committing to localization.

Because the US trade deficit in goods and services continues to surge, many people wonder if reshoring is really happening and whether its effects are beneficial.

A discussion with PCBAA president Shane Whiteside.

I recently sat with Shane Whiteside, president and CEO of Summit Interconnect, in his capacity as chairman of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America (PCBAA), to discuss the state of the PCB industry and the effects of the additional tariffs currently in place.

Whiteside’s PCB manufacturing and leadership career spans several decades, which lends itself well to PCBAA’s mission to advocate for a stronger US PCB industry. The association is working hard to educate and influence those in Washington, DC on the importance of a secure US electronics supply chain.