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The Hidden Geography of Electronics: Rethinking Trade, Inputs, and Strategic Advantage
August 27, 2025 | Dr. Shawn DuBravac, Global Electronics AssociationEstimated reading time: 1 minute

Beneath the surface of debates about reshoring, tariffs, and supply chain resilience lies a deeper reality: Global electronics manufacturing is increasingly driven by the flow of inputs, not just the shipment of final goods.
Electronics manufacturing is not just global; it is globally interdependent. In 2023 (the most recent data available), electronics trade reached $4.4 trillion, accounting for more than 20% of total global merchandise trade. This figure reflects not only strong consumer demand for smartphones, computers, and electric vehicles, but also the dense web of international transactions behind each finished product.
Electronic components such as semiconductors, circuit boards, connectors, sensors, and batteries now account for most trade in the electronics sector. This dynamic has accelerated in recent years, reflecting the growing complexity of both devices and supply chains.
In 2023, global trade in electronics inputs exceeded trade in finished electronics by more than $400 billion. As products become more technologically advanced, they require a larger number of specialized parts, many produced in only a handful of locations. The result is a supply chain that is highly fragmented, deeply layered, and tightly interconnected across borders.
This interdependence is structural. No country controls the entire value chain, and efforts to achieve “technological self-sufficiency” must reckon with the deep-rooted realities of global specialization. For companies and policymakers, understanding this hidden geography is essential. Resilience may depend less on isolation and more on how interdependence is managed.
Continue reading this article in the Summer 2025 issue of Community Magazine.
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Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Dan Feinberg
10/08/2025 | Gene WeinerThis Hall of Fame spotlight features Dan Feinberg. Dan and I have been friends in a variety of relationships and activities for more than half a century. His journey in the electronics and the PCB industry is a testament to dedication, innovation, and leadership. His contributions span over five decades, introducing new technologies, mentoring professionals, and advocating for policies that strengthened manufacturing in the United States. As a Hall of Fame member, Dan’s legacy continues to inspire new generations of engineers, technologists, and business leaders.
North American PCB Industry Sales Up 12.8% in August
10/02/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationThe Global Electronics Association announced the August 2025 findings from its North American Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Statistical Program. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 0.98.
Nolan’s Notes: Tariffs, Technologies, and Optimization
10/01/2025 | Nolan Johnson -- Column: Nolan's NotesLast month, SMT007 Magazine spotlighted India, and boy, did we pick a good time to do so. Tariff and trade news involving India was breaking like a storm surge. The U.S. tariffs shifted India from one of the most favorable trade agreements to the least favorable. Electronics continue to be exempt for the time being, but lest you think that we’re free and clear because we manufacture electronics, steel and aluminum are specifically called out at the 50% tariff levels.
Industry Leaders Shape a Sustainable Future at 2025 IPC CEMAC Electronics Manufacturing Annual Conference
09/30/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationThe 2025 IPC CEMAC Electronics Manufacturing Annual Conference, co-hosted by the Global Electronics Association and the Shanghai Pudong Association for Quality and Technology, successfully concluded on September 26 in Shanghai.
IEMI 2026 in Bengaluru: Shaping the Next Era of Electronics
10/01/2025 | Arpita Das, Global Electronics AssociationIntegrated Electronics Manufacturing & Interconnections (IEMI) 2026, Jan. 29–30, at Taj Yeshwantpur, Bengaluru, builds on the success of IEMI 2024, which took place in both Kuala Lumpur and Bengaluru and attracted over 1,200 participants. From smart factory showcases to IPC-certified soldering competitions, it was a platform for knowledge exchange and technical engagement.