Rare Earth Elements: Finding Components That Minimize Impacts from Trade Restrictions
The supply of rare earth elements that are critical to manufacturing electronic components is being constrained by trade restrictions. The volatility and nuances of these trade restrictions are creating a need for rework and multi-scenario planning for supply-chain managers, procurement, component engineers and design engineers…
Navigating Changing Tariffs in the Electronic Components Supply Chain
Recently, rapid changes to tariff policy have created new challenges for manufacturers navigating the electronic components supply chain. In recent weeks, supply chain and procurement managers have had to assess the impact of both broad-sweeping and industry-targeted tariffs, a task made more difficult by ongoing…
China Bans Export of Gallium, Germanium, Antimony, & Graphite Materials to the United States
China recently announced a ban on the export of key raw materials: gallium, germanium, antimony, and graphite. These elements are critical in the manufacturing of various high-tech electronic components, and the world’s reliance on Chinese supplies makes this development particularly significant. The timing of the…
Proposed New Tariffs Threaten Higher Electronic Component Prices in 2025
New tariffs proposed by the incoming Trump Administration could lead to higher electronic component prices in 2025. President-elect Donald Trump has announced he would impose new tariffs when he takes office, targeting the United States’ biggest trade partners – Canada, Mexico, and China. While the…
Typhoon Gaemi Disrupts Supply Chain in Taiwan and China
On July 25th, Typhoon Gaemi ripped through Taiwan and China’s Fujian coastline, disrupting the supply chain with rough seas, power outages, and flooding in its wake. The typhoon was one of the strongest to hit Taiwan in eight years with wind gusts up to 141…
Samsung Labor Strike Targets High-Powered AI Memory Chips
The recent 2024 Samsung labor strike has been brooding for some time. Samsung Electronics’ South Korean labor union is now threatening to disrupt high-power AI chip production as part of an ongoing labor strike. On July 10th, the National Samsung Electronics Union announced it would…
Latest Updates: Taiwan Earthquake Impact on Semiconductor Supply Chain
Latest update April 12th. Original article published on April 4th A 7.4 magnitude earthquake shook Taiwan on Wednesday, threatening the supply chain for 92% of the globe’s advanced semiconductors. The quake struck at around 8 am local time just 11 miles southwest of Hualien City….
Industry News | Israel/Hamas Conflict
Cargo Ships Avoid the Suez Canal after Red Sea Attacks
Cargo vessels are avoiding the Red Sea after Houthi rebels started attacking commercial ships off the Yemen coast. Since mid-November, the rebel group has attacked ships in protest of Israel’s escalating response against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The attacks threaten to disrupt supply chains…
Event | Industry News | Supply Chain | Ukraine/Russia Conflict
Live Updates: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
How the War in Ukraine is Impacting Global Supply Chain Shortages A complete coverage of the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the global electronics manufacturing and distribution market. Subscribe Now March 6, 2023 New Sanctions Imposed on Russia More than a year after…
Event | Industry News | Supply Chain | Ukraine/Russia Conflict
Russian Gold & Silver Banned from Global Markets
March 29, 2022 – Russian gold and silver refineries have been banned from the largest global trading markets in gold and silver. The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and the Chicago Merchantile Exchange (CME) have both announced a suspension on Russian gold and silver from…