–Excerpt from IPC’s comments to the U.S. Trade Representative on the possibility of imposing reciprocal tariffs on U.S. trading partners (related story below)

North American Trade Tensions Remain High: The state of North American trade and tariff policies remains tense, with ouof all the relevant official trade policies along with IPC analysis on our trade policy webpage; and let us know how these actions are affecting your company. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.   

Apple Announces $500B Investment in U.S. Manufacturing: Last week, Apple announced plans to invest $500 billion in the United States over the next five years, significantly expanding its commitment to U.S. 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 has implications for the U.S. electronics industry, potentially reshaping supply chains and creating up to 20,000 new jobs in engineering, R&D, and AI. Globally, Apple's investment could set a precedent for increased onshore manufacturing and resilience. IPC will continue monitoring these developments and advocating for a strong and innovative electronics manufacturing ecosystem in all countries. IPC Contact: Richard Cappetto. 

Mexico Navigates Trade Challenges with Growth in Semiconductors and EVs: Mexico’s electronics manufacturing industry faces new uncertainties in light of the U.S. Government’s imposition of 25% tariffs on many imports, reports IPC Mexico Director Lorena Villanueva. Automotive and electronics products together account for nearly half of Mexico’s exports. Some companies, including Compal Electronics and Inventec, are considering shifting operations to the U.S. to avoid higher costs, while Foxconn and Intel are expanding semiconductor production in Mexico to replace Asian suppliers. Meanwhile, Mexico’s aerospace and EV sectors continue to grow, with Monterrey emerging as an aerospace hub and EV maker Zacua strengthening domestic supply chains. IPC Contact: Lorena Villanueva.

Mexican Automotive Suppliers Gain Support Through New State Initiative: The Mexican state of Aguascalientes recently launched the State Supplier Development Program to strengthen local industry, starting with the automotive sector. The initiative provides technical support, training, and direct connections with major companies to enhance supplier competitiveness. A collaboration agreement has been signed between Industria Nacional de Autopartes (INA), representing the national auto parts industry, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to expand the program nationwide. The moves are intended to reinforce Aguascalientes’ position as a hub for advanced manufacturing and auto parts production. IPC Contact: Lorena Villanueva.

European Commission Unveils Automotive Action Plan: Last week, the European Commission launched a new Automotive Action Plan, outlining its vision for the industry’s evolution over the next five to 10 years. The plan is centered on five “pillars”: innovation and digitalisation; “clean mobility”; competitiveness and supply chain resilience; skills and the social dimension; and market and trade policy. Before the plan was released, IPC submitted comments to the “strategic dialogue” that preceded the action plan, emphasizing the critical role of a resilient European electronics industry in supporting the automotive sector’s needs. IPC supports well integrated strategies that bolster industrial competitiveness amid geopolitical shifts. Please let us know your thoughts on the Automotive Action Plan, and learn more here. IPC contact:  Alison James.

Industry Leaders Convene at IPC’s Tokyo Roundtable: Last week, IPC successfully launched its new Quarterly Leadership Roundtable series in Tokyo, which brought together more than 60 leaders of Japanese companies and government agencies for high-level discussions on the most pressing issues in our industry. The featured speakers, including IPC CEO John Mitchell, who is fluent in Japanese, and Akira Amari, a former member of Japan’s House of Representatives, provided valuable insights into the future of bilateral trade, technological cooperation, and the evolving global supply chain. The Tokyo Leadership Roundtables will continue throughout the year, stay tuned for updates on upcoming sessions. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.      

IPC APEX EXPO 2025 (Anaheim, California), Mar. 15-20: Next week, discover the newest innovations and hear from the best minds in the electronics manufacturing industry. IPC APEX EXPO 2025 is 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.    

John Mitchell says, “My hope is that we can focus on solutions that boost North American manufacturing rather than undermine it. Let’s use this time wisely. It’s not just about trade, it’s about the future of electronics innovation in the U.S.”

Stat of the Week: For more up-to-the-minute news on tariffs and trade policy, visit IPC’s trade policy page: www.ipc.org/advocacy/trade-policy.