White House Seeks Input for National Strategy for Advanced Manufacturing: The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is gathering input from all interested parties on the development of a National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing. The Request for Information (RFI) is seeking insights on federal policies and programs to advance U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, including advanced manufacturing R&D “that will create jobs, grow the economy across multiple industrial sectors, strengthen national security, and improve healthcare.” Responses are due by September 30, and our association will prepare comments. Your input is welcomed. Contact: Richard Cappetto  

Electronics Manufacturing Expand in Mexico Amid Nearshoring Trends: Mexico continues to attract investment in electronics and advanced manufacturing, although recent developments show a dynamic and evolving landscape. The state of Guanajuato secured over $2.2 billion in new investments across 22 projects in just five months, primarily in automotive and industrial manufacturing, with key backing from Japan, the U.S., Germany, and China, according to Mexico Industry. Benchmark Electronics also opened a new 10,000-square-meter design and manufacturing center in Jalisco, focused on aerospace, medical, and semiconductors, as reported by Global Data. Mexico Now reports that General Motors will shift production of two SUV models from Mexico to Michigan by 2027, although the company’s Mexican operations in electric vehicle components remain strong.

Meanwhile, Mexico’s aerospace industry is targeting $19.6 billion in annual value by 2029, supported by FDI and new supplier growth, according to Mexico Now. This push will likely bring new quality and compliance requirements that electronics manufacturers should watch closely. Leadership is also shifting: four Mexican women now hold top regional roles at Ford, Nissan, and Stellantis, shaping production and innovation across North America, as highlighted by Puerto Interior Guanajuato. These developments underscore why Mexico remains a key piece of the North American supply chain, and why GEA members should stay engaged. Contact: Lorena Villanueva

Trump Announces U.S.-Vietnam Trade Deal: U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States has struck a trade deal with Vietnam that includes a 20% tariff on the southeast Asian country’s imports to the United States. The United States will gain mostly tariff-free access to Vietnam’s markets. Vietnam also agreed that goods would be hit with a 40% tariff rate if they originated in another country and were transferred to Vietnam for final shipment to the United States – a tactic that China is accused of using to circumvent trade barriers. Our association will provide more details as we learn them. Contacts: USA, Richard Cappetto; Asia, Gaurab Majumdar

Vietnam Advances in Electronics with Workforce, Innovation, and Trade Focus: Vietnam is taking new steps to strengthen its role in the global electronics supply chain, with developments in workforce training, domestic innovation, and regional trade policy.

According to Vietnam Economic Times, Foxconn is partnering with Vietnamese authorities to help train a next-generation technology workforce. The company plans to support education in semiconductor-related skills, aligning with national goals to produce 50,000 semiconductor engineers by 2030. In parallel, the first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) chip designed and manufactured in Vietnam was recently introduced by the State-owned Viettel Group, Vietnam Economic Times reports. While not yet produced at commercial scale, the breakthrough represents early steps in building core electronics capabilities in-country.

Vietnam is also navigating trade complexities within the ASEAN region. Non-tariff barriers, including technical standards, customs delays, and regulatory divergence, continue to impact cross-border electronics trade. Vietnam Economic Times notes that industry stakeholders and policymakers are calling for greater transparency and harmonization to improve intra-ASEAN trade flows. These shifts in Vietnam’s industrial strategy and regional engagement could affect supply chains and sourcing decisions for electronics manufacturers worldwide. Contact: Gaurab Majumdar

Malaysia and China Deepen Trade Cooperation in Strategic Sectors: Malaysia and China are entering what officials have called a “new era of cooperation,” with strengthened bilateral ties focused on technology, infrastructure, and industrial investment. According to Business Today Malaysia, recent meetings between senior government and industry leaders from both countries emphasized alignment in high-value sectors including semiconductors, smart manufacturing, and green technologies. The talks included commitments to expand collaboration on supply chains and innovation ecosystems.

This deepening relationship comes as Malaysia positions itself as a regional electronics hub and seeks to attract more Chinese investment into advanced manufacturing. The Institute for Small and Medium Enterprises (INSKEN) noted that these efforts are part of a broader strategy to bolster economic resilience and competitiveness. For electronics manufacturers operating across Asia-Pacific, evolving trade dynamics between Malaysia and China may influence investment patterns, sourcing decisions, and regional standards coordination. Contact: Gaurab Majumdar

EU Launches Strategy to Lead in Quantum Technologies: The European Commission has unveiled a new Strategy aimed at making the EU a global leader in quantum technologies by 2030. According to the Commission, the Strategy focuses on five core areas: research and innovation, infrastructure development, ecosystem support, space and dual-use applications, and workforce skills. A legislative proposal, dubbed the Quantum Act, is expected in 2026 and will aim to boost industrialization by encouraging Member States, companies, and researchers to co-invest in pilot production facilities through coordinated national or regional efforts. These initiatives may create future opportunities and standards with implications for electronics manufacturers across the supply chain. Contact: Alison James

Global Electronics Association Launches Circularity Hub for Sustainable Design: The Global Electronics Association has launched a new Circularity Resource Hub aimed at helping electronics manufacturers implement sustainable design practices at scale. According to eeNews Europe , the Hub offers centralized access to key industry standards, frameworks, and tools to support compliance with evolving global regulations such as Right to Repair and Ecodesign. It also features in-depth guidance on embedding circularity across the product life cycle and reducing e-waste through design for repairability, rework, and materials reclamation.

Global Electronics Association President and CEO John Mitchell said the Hub was created in response to industry demand for practical solutions that balance sustainability with cost efficiency. The resource will be continuously updated to address new challenges, with a focus on supporting risk reduction and long-term resilience. As Dr. Kelly Scanlon, GEA’s Lead Sustainability Strategist, emphasized, “The electronics ecosystem has an opportunity to embrace circularity to reduce risk – and minimize its life cycle impacts in the process.” Contact: Kelly Scanlon

Global Electronics Midyear Economic Check-In, Online, July 8: We’re at the midpoint of 2025, and the global economy is walking a tightrope between resilience and risk. What does this mean for the electronics industry? Join us for a live webinar next week with Global Electronics Assn.  Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac, Ph.D., CFA, who will offer a data-driven, industry-relevant look at what lies ahead, from supply chain disruptions to geopolitical flashpoints. Learn more and register here. 

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