– Ethan Karp, President and CEO of MAGNET, a nonprofit consulting group focused on manufacturing growth, in a Forbes article on how America’s view of manufacturing has evolved in the five years since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apple Announces $500B Investment in U.S. Manufacturing: This week, Apple announced plans to invest $500 billion in the United States over the next five years, significantly expanding its commitment to American manufacturing and innovation. The investment includes opening a new server factory in Houston, establishing a manufacturing academy in Detroit, and expanding data centers across seven states. Apple’s pledge also reinforces U.S.-based semiconductor production, following confirmation that TSMC’s Arizona facility has begun chip production for Apple products. The announcement holds major implications for the U.S. electronics manufacturing industry, potentially reshaping supply chains, enhancing domestic production capabilities, and creating up to 20,000 new jobs in engineering, R&D, and AI. Globally, Apple's investment could influence supply-chain strategies by setting a precedent for increased onshore manufacturing and resilience. IPC will continue monitoring these developments and advocating for actions that support a strong and innovative electronics manufacturing ecosystem in all countries. IPC Contact: Richard Cappetto.  

U.S. Now Eyeing Copper Imports for Tariffs: The trade policies of the United States and other nations are continuing to evolve at head-spinning speed, with growing implications for the electronics industry. This week U.S. President Donald Trump directed a review of copper imports that could lead to new tariffs, with a stated goal of boosting the domestic production needed for the electronics and defense industries, among others.

Also this week, European officials said they were prepared to invoke the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument, which provides for broad retaliation in response to hostile trade actions, Politico reports. Last week, the European Commission published a set of questions and answers rebutting the reasoning behind the United States’ "reciprocal tariff” plan.

Since the start of the second Trump administration, it has announced plans to impose or hike tariffs on imports of automobiles, semiconductors, steel, aluminum, and other categories of products, as well as all imports from China, Canada, Mexico, the European Union, India, and other nations.

Last week the New York Times noted the recent statement by IPC President and CEO John W. Mitchell, in which he warned “new tariffs will raise manufacturing costs, disrupt supply chains, and drive production offshore, further weakening America’s electronics industrial base.” Mitchell added that “it is critical to minimize the duration and impact of tariffs on the domestic industry, while advancing pro-growth policies that drive capital investment.” Check out the full statement, and if you agree, please like and share the LinkedIn post by John Mitchell. 

IPC will continue to engage with the administration and Congress to promote solutions that support long-term growth in the domestic electronics sector. Keep track of all the relevant official trade policies along with IPC analysis on our trade policy webpage. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

IPC Hosts EMS Leadership Roundtable in Washington, D.C.: Last week, IPC convened electronics manufacturing services (EMS) leaders in Washington, D.C., for a two-day EMS Leadership Public Policy Roundtable. The first day included expert presentations and discussions on economic trends, tariffs, taxes, and workforce development. The second day consisted of meetings on Capitol Hill, where IPC members met with 15 congressional offices, including the Ways and Means Committee and House Republican Conference. Industry leaders raised concerns, built relationships, and influenced IPC’s advocacy agenda. Read more about the event in this IPC Blog; check out the fact sheet we distributed on the Hill; and discover how to get more involved in industry advocacy on the IPC Advocacy homepage.  IPC Contact: Richard Cappetto.  

U.S. Rep Engages IPC on Trade and Manufacturing in So. California: Last week, U.S. Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, invited IPC to discuss the impact of recent U.S. trade actions on Southern California manufacturing. IPC’s Richard Cappetto joined California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC) to highlight the industry’s economic contributions and global reach. With members of Rep. Torres’ staff having attended IPC APEX EXPO last year, IPC continues to strengthen this relationship to advance shared goals of growth and innovation in the industry. IPC Contact: Richard Cappetto. 

IPC Launching Quarterly Leadership Roundtable in Tokyo: In 2025, IPC is expanding its presence in Japan with a dynamic new initiative, quarterly roundtable discussions designed to strengthen collaboration between Japanese companies, government officials, and industry leaders. These high-level dialogues will provide a platform to explore critical issues shaping the electronics industry. The first roundtable, set for March 5, will tackle the timely topic of “U.S.-Japan Relations Under Trump 2.0.” Featured speakers include IPC CEO John Mitchell, a fluent Japanese speaker, and Akira Amari, a former member of Japan’s House of Representatives, offering valuable insights into the future of bilateral trade and technological cooperation. To join this in-person event in Tokyo on March 5, please contact IPC’s Chris Mitchell.    

U.S. EPA Extends Comment Deadline on PFAS Notification Rule: Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) extended the comment deadline for its proposed rule clarifying when companies must notify customers if their mixtures or trade name products contain PFAS listed on the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). Originally proposed on January 17, the rule aims to enhance transparency in chemical reporting. Comments are now due by March 24, 2025. IPC is closely monitoring this development and encourages members to review the proposal and provide input to ensure industry concerns are considered. For more information, follow this link. IPC Contact: Diana Radovan.

IPC Roundtable: “U.S.-Japan Relations Under Trump 2.0” (Tokyo), March 5: Join IPC in the first of a new quarterly series of roundtable discussions aimed at strengthening collaboration between Japanese companies, government officials, and electronics manufacturing industry leaders. To learn more, contact IPC’s Chris Mitchell.    

IPC APEX EXPO 2025 (Anaheim, California), Mar. 15-20: Discover the newest innovations and hear from the best minds in the electronics manufacturing industry. IPC APEX EXPO 2025 will be our industry’s largest event in North America, featuring a world-class trade show, professional development courses taught by industry experts, non-stop networking and more. Learn more and register here.  

Stat of the Week: We asked IPC members, “Are you accelerating shipments ahead of potential tariff increases? Read IPC’s February Sentiment of the Global Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain Report and let us know about your experiences with tariffs and related issues.

John W. Mitchell congratulates Howard W. Lutnick on being sworn into office as secretary of commerce. “We look forward to working with you and the administration on developing a stronger U.S. critical electronics supply chain from silicon-to-systems.”