The United States and Taiwan reached a trade agreement cutting tariffs on semiconductor exports to support expanded chip manufacturing in the US, as new actions on advanced semiconductors and critical minerals raise questions about how targeted trade measures may reshape global supply chains.

Researchers from the US and Japan demonstrated a probabilistic computing approach using p-bits that enables AI chips to run parallel operations more efficiently, reducing power consumption for advanced computations.

Researchers demonstrated a low-cost paper-based stamp transfer process for fabricating liquid metal flexible and stretchable electronics, achieving high-fidelity circuits on curved substrates with stable electrical performance under repeated strain.

Inspectis launches F40/F40s full HD digital microscope.

Materials scientists at Drexel University have found a way to develop an OLED that can stretch to twice its original size while keeping a steady glow.

PCB East 2026’s exhibition hall is more than 90 percent sold out, reflecting strong exhibitor demand ahead of the April event in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Maggie Frachioni discusses her transition into PCB design at General Motors and how PCEA’s Certified Printed Circuit Designer coursework reshaped her career path on the PCB Chat podcast.

Wally Rhines reviews the latest ECAD market data, including sustained year-over-year growth, regional sales shifts and employment trends across design and semiconductor tools on the PCB Chat podcast.

PCB West 2026 booth sales are now open to all exhibitors, with more than 60 percent of the floor already reserved following early access for returning companies.

Looking for networking opportunities? Join the PCEA Discord server, bringing together engineers and designers from around the world on a private channel for discussing technical questions and career opportunities.

The US and Taiwan reached a trade deal cutting tariffs on semiconductor exports to expand chip manufacturing and related technology production in the United States.

VDL Groep acquired Sintecs to strengthen its electronics capabilities.

Unitech PCB has opened its first production facility in Thailand.

SEMI issued a statement supporting the Trump administration’s targeted Section 232 actions on advanced computing chips and critical minerals, emphasizing the need to strengthen US supply chains while minimizing disruption to global semiconductor manufacturing.

India’s exports to China jumped 67 percent year on year in December, driven by higher shipments of electronics including populated printed circuit boards.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said a new trade deal with Taiwan will drive roughly $500B in investment to expand semiconductor manufacturing in the United States

Inventec is investing $136M to expand Thailand production.

Foxconn Slovakia will lay off hundreds of employees in Nitra, with the first of them having received their redundancy notices in December, according to local reports.

Taiwanese EMS companies operating server assembly plants in Mexico are adjusting their supply chains to source components from ASEAN nations.

US President Donald Trump is holding off – for now – on imposing tariffs on imports of critical minerals, opting instead to direct his administration to seek supplies from international partners.

Axos Designso acquired a 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Long Island City, New York.

Amazon entered a partnership with Rio Tinto to source copper for data center components.

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EVENTS

PCB Update is a digital newsletter for PCB design, fabrication and assembly professionals, brought to you by Printed Circuit Engineering Association™. E-mail industry press releases or links to the editors of CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY or PCD&F: pr@pcea.net.