Dear [Colleague]:

Government policy discussions on trade, sustainability, and regional cooperation continued to attract our attention this week.

Here in Washington, we are hours away from submitting official comments on potential tariffs on robotics, industrial machinery, and medical technology. Next week, we’ll submit comments on proposed “inclusions” in the steel and aluminum tariffs list, and by November 3, we will submit comments on the future of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Please let us know your thoughts and questions.

Speaking of the United States and Mexico, the Global Electronics Association is releasing a new brief on Mexico’s critical role in U.S. manufacturing. Be among the first to read it.  

Meanwhile, the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) adopted its position on the sustainability and due diligence “omnibus” package, and overall, it seems to be going in the right direction for electronics.

In Asia, Thailand is taking steps to strengthen its role in the global electronics value chain.

Keep reading for a look at the developments shaping the electronics industry this week.

Chris Mitchell 
Vice President, Global Government Relations 

 

The Headlines at a Glance:

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

• Industry Hopeful on European Action on Sustainability and Due Diligence

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

• Industry Sustainability Strategist Appreciated Climate Week Dialogue

UNITED STATES

• Association Busy on Steel & Aluminum Tariffs, Chips, Machinery, USMCA and More
• Lawmakers Urge Tighter Controls on Chipmaking Equipment Exports
• U.S. Invests in Critical Minerals While Conflict with China Burns
• H-1B Visa Overhaul: What Do You Think?

MEXICO

• New Association Report Explains Why Mexico Matters to U.S. Manufacturing
• Mexico Advances Trade and Technology Initiatives
• United States and Mexico Collaborate on Semiconductors

ASIA-PACIFIC

• Thailand Expands Trade Ties and Advances PCB Manufacturing Capabilities

ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

• California Air Resources Board Seeks Feedback on Reporting Template
• Member Feedback Needed on Circular Economy Act
• Global Electronics Association Participates in Sustainability Week Europe

OTHER HEADLINES IN THE NEWS

• The Economic Times | India, South Korea to explore partnerships in EV components, digital supply chains
• The New York Times | The Small Company in Europe Caught in the Big Trade War Between the U.S. and China

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Circularity Policies for Electronics: Where Are We Now? Online, Nov. 11

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US

Industry Hopeful on European Action on Sustainability and Due Diligence Omnibus: The Global Electronics Association welcomes the timely adoption by the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) of its position on the omnibus proposal on sustainability reporting and due diligence. In an Association blog , Sustainability Policy Director Diana Radovan, says: “Overall, we think that this position is going in the right direction for electronics. We welcome the voluntary approach to sector-specific standards and the removal of EU civil liability.”  

The committee’s action paves the way to trialogue negotiations among the European Union institutions, which will start as planned at the end of October. “Regulatory certainty—including timely implementation of omnibus requirements by Member States— is needed to ensure business continuity and investment certainty,” Diana adds. “The Global Electronics Association will continue to advocate for a regulatory simplification that is effective and useful for businesses” she adds. Read the full statement on the JURI action on our Association blog .

You may read the JURI announcement; watch a press conference on it; and like and share our LinkedIn post. Contact: Diana Radovan

 

“Attending Climate Week reinforced for me just how important communication is. When dealing with complex products, intricate supply chains, and diverse global players, conversations can become tangled. Many people are already doing the right things, yet they often fail to communicate those efforts effectively. Measurement is difficult, and data can be unclear.”

— Dr. Kelly Scanlon, lead sustainability strategist of the Global Electronics Association, in a new Association blog about her participation in last month’s Climate Week events in New York City

 

Association Busy on Steel & Aluminum Tariffs, Chips, Machinery, USMCA and More: The Global Electronics Association continues to grapple with an array of business-critical trade policy issues in the United States.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) posted nearly 100 more petitions seeking additions to the list of derivative products subject to a 50% “Section 232” tariff on steel and/or aluminum content. This is the second round of the process; the first round resulted in 400-plus additions to the list. Industry comments are due on Tuesday. If tariffs on these items would create any concerns for your company, let us know so that we can advocate for you. The BIS landing page for more information is here.

On another trade front, Dr. John W. Mitchell, president and CEO of the Global Electronics Association, wrote to Commerce Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler, seeking a constructive dialogue on the potential impacts of planned Section 232 tariffs on semiconductor chips. Although we share the Administration’s goal of strengthening U.S. economic and national security, the apparent direction of the investigation raises concerns about costs, complexities, and unintended consequences for the broader electronics manufacturing ecosystem. 

Later today, the Association will submit official comments on the Section 232 investigations of robotics, industrial machinery, and medical technology. By November 3, we will submit comments on the future of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is due for a trilateral review in 2026. As always, watch this space for more details, and let us know your questions and insights. Contact: Chris Mitchell   

Lawmakers Urge Tighter Controls on Chipmaking Equipment Exports: The U.S.–China technology competition was spotlighted by new congressional findings on semiconductor manufacturing equipment exports. According to U.S. News & World Report, a bipartisan investigation by the House Select Committee on China found that Chinese chipmakers purchased approximately $38 billion worth of advanced chipmaking tools from U.S. and allied suppliers in 2024, a 66 percent increase from the previous year. The report cited inconsistencies in export control rules among the United States, Japan, and the Netherlands, which allowed non-U.S. manufacturers to continue selling to Chinese firms that are restricted under U.S. law.

As reported by the New York Post, committee members are calling for broader, more coordinated export restrictions to prevent potential loopholes and strengthen alignment among allied nations. According to reporting by Quartz, sales to China have already begun to decline in 2025 amid new regulations and greater coordination between Washington and Tokyo. The Global Electronics Association continues to monitor these policy shifts and assess potential implications for global supply chain resilience and competitiveness. Contact: Chris Mitchell  

U.S. Invests in Critical Minerals While Conflict with China Burns: The U.S. government announced a series of investments aimed at strengthening domestic and allied production of rare earths and critical minerals needed for advanced manufacturing. According to The Street and Fox Business, the departments of War and Energy have begun taking direct equity stakes in mining and processing companies to reduce reliance on imports from China, which currently controls roughly 60–70 percent of global rare earths mining and 90 percent of refining capacity.

Meanwhile, China imposed new limits on exports of rare earths and related technologies. According to the Associated Press, the rules require foreign companies to get special approval to export items that contain even traces of rare earths elements, and they require permits for exports of technologies related to rare earths mining, smelting, recycling and magnet-making. President Trump threatened to impose retaliatory tariffs and export controls, CNBC reported.  

The Global Electronics Association continues to monitor these policy shifts and their potential effects on material sourcing and long-term supply stability. Contact: Chris Mitchell  

H-1B Visa Overhaul: What Do You Think? The Trump administration recently announced dramatic changes in the H-1B high-skilled worker visa program, and the Global Electronics Association needs to know your thoughts.  

According to Forbes, the Trump executive order imposes a $100,000 annual fee, raises prevailing wage requirements, and allows the Department of Homeland Security to waive the fee in certain cases. Devdiscourse reported that the administration’s stated goal is to protect U.S. jobs and wages, but for tech companies, the policy raises concerns about access to skilled labor, cost burdens, and potential offshoring of critical roles.  

The Global Electronics Association invites you to participate in a 5-minute survey on the impact of these changes; your input will shape industry advocacy. Contact: Chris Mitchell  

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US Meet Our Government Relations Team: Whether it is engaging with policymakers in the Americas, Europe, or Asia, the Global Electronics Association Government Relations (GR) Team works to educate, inform, and influence policymakers on policies that affect our industry. Our success depends on active support and participation from attentive people like you!      Peruse our global Advocacy pages on electronics.org and follow the links to information about our work in North America, Europe, and Asia. Subscribe to the Global Advocacy Report: If you are a member of the Global Electronics Association, manage your e-mail preferences and opt in to receive all “Advocacy” updates. If you are not a member — or if you are not sure — please send a note to friends@electronics.org, and our staff will add you to the list.  See prior editions of Global Advocacy Report. Please contact one of us via the links above if you have any questions or insights to share!