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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
May 30, 2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Thanks to the Memorial Day holiday, it’s been a short week. But it’s been a busy week in the industry lately, as well as on the national and international stage. We really need a scorecard. We’re all familiar with the 90-day tariff “time out” we’ve carved out with China, but can anyone keep up with where we stand with tariffs for our other trade partners?
I don’t have a scorecard, but I do have a weekly wrap-up of must-reads that I think deserve another “bite of the apple,” so to speak. IPC’s Rich Cappetto shares his perspective on everything from tariffs to the CHIPS Act. Columnist Josh Casper discusses the use of AI in 3D AOI systems and the immediate benefits that AI can bring about. Columnist Anaya Vardya explains how technologies like AI can improve our customer service, as well as our manufacturing processes. EMC engineer Karen Burnham has an article on handling high-frequency noise in DC circuits, and Matt Stevenson explains how designers can begin planning for controlled impedance much earlier in the design cycle. As Matt says, “The ohms have it.” I may have to borrow that.
See you next time.
Insights Into a Differentiating Trade/Investment Global Strategy for Electronics
Published May 27
The tariff situation has been fluid recently, and finance journalists who cover this beat must feel like they’re watching a tennis match. In this interview, IPC’s Rich Cappetto, senior director of North American government relations, puts this into perspective with his thoughts on domestic manufacturing, supply chain diversification, tax incentives, and tariff strategies.
Smart Automation: AI—Revolutionizing Inspection in Electronics Manufacturing
Published May 27
AI is everywhere now, to the point that some podcasters are saying that AI has “jumped the shark.” But it’s only getting started. In this column, one of our newest contributors, Josh Casper, explains how AI is now used in PCBA inspection equipment such as 3D AOI systems. As Josh says, AI has a variety of advantages, including eliminating false calls and time-consuming manual set-up, just to name a few.
Standard of Excellence: The Role of Technology in Enhancing the Customer Experience
Published May 28
There’s been a lot of focus on how a new technology like AI can improve the design and manufacturing of PCBs. But in his latest column, Anaya Vardya points out that some of these technologies, especially AI, machine learning, and natural language processing, can directly improve the customer’s experience.
High-frequency EMC Noise in DC Circuits
Published May 29
In 2024, EMC engineer Karen Burnham founded her own consulting firm, EMC United; her website states that her goal is to make EMC “less painful” for designers and engineers. In this article, Karen addresses one such pain point: high-frequency EMC challenges in DC circuits. Check it out.
Connect the Dots: Proactive Controlled Impedance
Published May 29
High-speed PCB designers have been dealing with controlled impedance for decades. But many designers don’t focus on controlling impedance early enough in the design cycle. This month, columnist Matt Stevenson lays out a variety of factors that designers should keep in mind from start of the design.
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After IEEPA: What Electronics Companies Should Know About Tariff Refund Strategies and Section 122
02/26/2026 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamThe U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision striking down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) opens the door to potential refunds for electronics companies and signals a rapid pivot to alternative trade statutes, setting the stage for a volatile 150-day period that could significantly affect global electronics supply chains. Trade and electronics industry leaders gathered for a webinar hosted by the Global Electronics Association on Feb. 24 to learn more about the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Electronics Industry Members Encouraged to Respond Immediately to Tariff Survey
02/24/2026 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamThe Global Electronics Association is seeking immediate input from the electronics industry on how U.S. tariffs are affecting imported inputs to electronics manufacturing and assembly, including equipment, parts, components, and sub-assemblies. The survey was announced during a webinar, “Supreme Court Strikes IEEPA Tariffs: What It Means for Electronics,” hosted by the Association on Feb. 24.
Electronics Trade in a Persistent Tariff Environment
02/24/2026 | Thiago Guimaraes, Global Electronics AssociationTariffs affecting the electronics sector were largely still in place at the end of 2025, even as the pace of new announcements slowed, and several electronics-relevant investigations and legal questions pushed key decisions into 2026. For companies operating global electronics supply chains, tariffs are no longer a short-term disruption; they are part of the operating environment. The costs facing electronics manufacturers are no longer limited to the tariff rates we see in headlines.
The Government Circuit: USMCA Review—A Crucial Opportunity to Fortify North American Electronics
12/02/2025 | Chris Mitchell -- Column: The Government CircuitAs the 2026 review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) approaches, policymakers have a rare opportunity to reinforce a partnership that powers their shared competitiveness, resilience, and growth. That is the message that I will have the honor of delivering on behalf of the Global Electronics Association in a public hearing at the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington on Dec. 4. We’ve also submitted our views formally to the U.S. Trade Representative, and we’ve shared our position far and wide.
Nolan’s Notes: Is Mexico the Pulse of Electronics in the Americas?
11/04/2025 | Nolan Johnson -- Column: Nolan's NotesLast year, I attended SMTA Guadalajara, where I saw the results of the Mexican investment in electronics manufacturing. The U.S. was still operating under the Biden administration, and while Mexican EMS companies had expanded capacity to support EV manufacturing, the demand dropped significantly. In my conversations at the show, the sentiment was one of patience. They knew the EV business would likely come back. However, they didn’t expect an overhaul of U.S. trade agreements and tariffs that would shift a more diversified portfolio in Mexico’s direction.