American Made Advocacy: Rebuilding America’s Military Stockpiles Begins With Microelectronics
The Right Approach: The End of an Era—DoD Proposes MIL-PRF-31032 Cancellation
Defense Speak Interpreted: Hypersonics Report Back After Six Years of Silence
A Critical Moment for Europe’s Electronics Ecosystem
March 3, 2026 | Nolan Johnson, SMT007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 1 minute
As Europe reexamines its industrial strategy amid geopolitical shifts, how does electronics become a critical priority? In this interview, Alison James, senior director Europe, government relations, at the Global Electronics Association, explains how industry advocacy is influencing the review of the European Chips Act, and why the conversation must extend beyond semiconductors to include PCBs, EMS, and complete systems. With 27 member states to align, can policy move fast enough to secure Europe’s electronics future?
Nolan Johnson: Alison, let’s start our conversation with an update on legislative efforts regarding the European Union’s redevelopment of an electronics manufacturing infrastructure.
Alison James: It starts with the industry call to action we made to the new European Commission in 2024, stating that we needed to put electronics at the heart of Europe's strategic interests and focus. That electronics strategy includes supply-and-demand instruments, and ensuring we have the electronics required for our critical industries. That was the starting point for everything that we look to do in the European Union. In other words, we laid out a roadmap in the call to action.
So, what's happening? First, we have made the critical case for an instrument that enables the building up of the electronics value chain—not only semiconductor chips, but also printed circuit boards and assemblies. We must be able to make the electronic systems for critical industries, including defense, security-critical infrastructure, and industries linked to the digital green transition. So, supply chain resilience is central.
The European Chips Act is currently under review. As part of that, the European Commission asked us to organize a workshop with PCB fabricators and assemblers, something that hadn't happened before. They told us, “We've heard what you said, and we want to understand the situation, concerns, and interests of the PCB and EMS industries.” Just before Christmas, we gathered companies across Europe for a workshop with the Commission.
In January, we met with the political cabinet and emphasized the need for the Chips Act Plus, so there are multiple things happening simultaneously.
To continue reading this interview, which originally appeared in the March 2026 edition of SMT007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Your magazines are a great platform for people to exchange knowledge. Thank you for the work that you do."
Simon Khesin - Schmoll MaschinenSuggested Items
EMAC Returns with Bright Electronics Manufacturing Challenge 2026
04/30/2026 | SMTAThe Electronics Manufacturing & Assembly Collaborative (EMAC) has announced the return of the Bright Electronics Manufacturing Challenge 2026, an immersive, hands-on student competition that puts real electronics manufacturing experience into the hands of the next generation of engineers.
EPTAC Expands. New HQ in Salem, NH, Draws Industry Leaders
04/30/2026 | EPTAC CorporationEPTAC, a global leader in electronics manufacturing training, has opened its new corporate headquarters and training facility in Salem, New Hampshire, expanding its capacity to support workforce development across North America.
From Backbone to Breakthroughs: I-Connect007 Wraps PCB Materials Series with Focus on Innovation
05/04/2026 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 wraps up its six-part podcast series, PCB Materials: The Backbone and Future of Electronics, with Episode 6 and a discussion focusing on innovation. In Episode 6, Marcy LaRont speaks with Isola CTO Kirk Thompson about a critical turning point for the PCB industry as innovation accelerates. As data rates climb and demands from AI infrastructure, power density, flexible electronics, photonics, and chiplet integration intensify, traditional material assumptions are no longer sufficient.
Sanmina Reports Q2 Fiscal 2026 Financial Results
04/30/2026 | PRNewswireSanmina Corporation, a leading integrated manufacturing solutions company, reported financial results for the second quarter ended March 28, 2026 and outlook for its third fiscal quarter ending June 27, 2026.
Celestica Announces Q1 2026 Financial Results
04/30/2026 | CelesticaWe expect to grow revenue by more than $6.5 billion in 2026 based on our latest Annual Outlook, and we now expect to grow revenue significantly more than this in 2027, as a result of improved visibility and new program wins.