IPC Renews Concern Over Third Round of U.S. Tariffs on Chinese Imports

John Mitchell, IPC president and CEO, issued the following statement on the decision of the U.S. government to impose additional tariffs on about $200 billion worth of Chinese imports, the third such list announced this year.

“IPC backs robust efforts by the United States to address discriminatory treatment of U.S. companies by its trading partners. We hold this same position in each of the countries where we have member companies. Trade agreements are meaningful only so long as countries that voluntary enter into them live up to the obligations they have made.

The United States has longstanding concerns about China’s technology transfer policies. The decision yesterday by President Trump to impose the most far-reaching tariffs yet on Chinese imports will further disrupt the international supply chains of many U.S. electronics companies. These disruptions will increase lead times, raise the cost of production and, in some cases, undermine the global competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing.

IPC urges the U.S. Trade Representative to intensify efforts resolve the trade dispute with China through bilateral negotiations and multilateral remedies. We also encourage the U.S. Government to continue its efforts to strengthen the electronics industrial base through a combination of tax, workforce, defense, and R&D policies. Such initiatives are the best way to revitalize the U.S. electronics supply chain for the long-term.”

IPC (www.IPC.org) is a global industry association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 4,400 member-company sites which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $2 trillion global electronics industry. IPC maintains additional offices in Taos, N.M.; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, Ga.; Brussels, Belgium; Stockholm, Sweden; Moscow, Russia; Bangalore and New Delhi, India; Bangkok, Thailand; and Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Suzhou and Beijing, China.