Key summary

• Tariff Uncertainty: Supreme Court ruling limits former President Trump’s tariff powers, raising questions on past collections and future trade impacts.

• AI Agents Evolve: OpenClaw highlights the shift from AI chatbots to autonomous agents capable of running tasks on personal computers.

• Consumer Robotics Surge: Rapid growth in home robots, with CES showcasing affordable options and the market projected to exceed $251B by 2035.

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by John W. Mitchell, Global Electronics Association president and CEO

This is always a challenge to select just three reads to share with all of you. There is so much happening – both exciting and challenging for our industry. This will likely not do justice to the many changes happening around the world right now, but I will share what is top of mind at this moment.   I will highlight items of global impact not just regional with these selections.

Trouble with Tariffs 

First, the Supreme Court decision that President Trump’s primary tool (IEEPA) to justify his power to declare tariffs was overturned. There are so many questions now. What happens to the previously illegally collected monies? Under what and how quickly will these new threats of tariff come to light (122, 232, 301,…)? How does the world respond to the Trump Administration’s demands going forward? What is the quote (curse)? “May you live in interesting times…” I’m cheating a bit on this one and giving you two articles – this issue will continue to evolve, but there is good information here.

• Tariff ruling limits Trump's leverage but won't end uncertainty for trade partners
• Economic implications of the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling

Lobsters Anyone?

There have been so many rapid changes to the world from AI and within AI itself, it is hard to keep up. You might want to do a little investigation into a recent development that I am keeping my eye on. OpenClaw…this seems to be what all the Agentic AI hype has been pointing to.  No, it doesn’t seem to need rooms of servers – just a $600 mini-Mac by one account – the shift from chatting to running your computer / life. Cool and potentially scary advances here!  

• OpenClaw—what happens when AI stops chatting and starts doing

Robots for Everyone

Finally, in a recent conversation with a member company, I asked a senior executive what he thought the biggest upcoming impact will be in electronics.  He surprised me a little when he said robots. Yes, we have been using robotics in electronics for many years, but he was talking about consumer robots in the home. Coming FAST! After a few days at CES with hundreds of companies showing all different kinds of robots and quoting prices about the same as mid-high-level refrigerators…I’m starting to be a believer. See the market projections (which I tend to be a bit suspect of as a rule) in the article below. Robots for everyone! 

• Humanoid Robot Market Size to Surpass USD 251.40 Billion by 2035 

Key Summary:

• EU Approves Omnibus Sustainability Revisions: The General Affairs Council advanced simplified sustainability reporting and due diligence rules.

• Reduced Scope, Extended Timelines: Fewer companies will be in scope, with adjusted implementation deadlines to ease compliance.

• Industry Advocacy Reflected: The changes align with the Global Electronics Association’s push for a streamlined, practical framework.

• Next Steps: The final text will take effect 20 days after publication, with Member States given at least 12 months to implement.

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The EU’s General Affairs Council formally approved the European Parliament’s position on the first Omnibus package revising sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements. The revised rules aim to simplify reporting obligations, adjust implementation timelines, and narrow the number of companies in scope.

The Council’s position aligns with the Global Electronics Association’s advocacy for a more streamlined sustainability framework—one that reduces complexity while strengthening environmental and social outcomes. Working in close with coordination with European electronics manufacturers, we have consistently emphasized that simplification is essential. Our engagement with EU institutions has included the submission of Association comments in September 2025 and a joint multi-association letter in November. 

The final legal text is now published in the Official Journal of the European Union. It will enter into force 20 days after publication, and Member States will have up to 12 months to transpose the provisions into national law (except for article 4 harmonization, which must be transposed by 26 July 2028). Our advocacy team is reviewing the text and will continue updating the industry on its implications. 

We welcome your insights on how your company is responding to these changes and are happy to answer any questions.

By Corey Lynn, Marketing Director, Education

Key Summary

• Engineering Pro is a self-paced online training platform designed specifically for electronics manufacturing professionals.
• Helps teams stay compliant with evolving IPC standards such as IPC standards including IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001.
• Focuses on process optimization, defect prevention, and quality improvement to reduce rework and boost efficiency.
• Team subscription tools enable progress tracking, role-based learning paths, and measurable skill development.
• Accelerates onboarding and supports continuous upskilling across engineering, quality, and operations teams.

In today’s electronics manufacturing world, keeping up with the latest standards, tools, and technologies isn’t just important; it’s mission critical. Between evolving IPC Standards (by the Global Electronics Association), the rise of advanced assembly automation, and the increasing focus on quality and reliability, engineering teams require ongoing upskilling to remain competitive.

That’s where Engineering Pro comes in.

What Is Engineering Pro?

Engineering Pro is a self-paced, online training platform built specifically for professionals in electronics manufacturing. Unlike generic e-learning sites, Engineering Pro’s courses are designed and taught by industry experts with decades of hands-on experience in PCB fabrication, assembly, inspection, and quality control.

Whether you’re a manufacturing engineer, process technician, or training coordinator, the platform helps bridge skill gaps and drive performance improvements across your operation.

Why Engineering Pro Training Matters

Stay Compliant and Confident with IPC Standards

IPC certification is the foundation of quality in the electronics manufacturing industry. Engineering Pro’s courses help teams understand and apply IPC standards — from IPC-A-610 to J-STD-001 — ensuring consistency and compliance across global operations.

Boost Efficiency and Reduce Rework

Training modules focus on process optimization, defect prevention, and root cause analysis, providing engineers with the knowledge they need to make informed, faster decisions on the production floor.

Upskill Without Downtime

All courses are self-paced and online, allowing engineers to learn at their convenience. No travel. No production interruptions. Just high-quality learning that fits around real-world workloads.

Built for Teams, Too

With an Engineering Pro Team Subscription, training coordinators can:

• Track team progress through dashboards
• Assign role-specific learning paths
• Measure skill growth over time
• Ensure every engineer stays aligned with corporate training goals
• Accelerate Onboarding

Fast-track new engineers by integrating Engineering Pro’s training modules into your onboarding process. Teams can quickly get up to speed on manufacturing fundamentals, best practices, and company-specific standards.

Who Benefits Most?

• Engineering Managers who want measurable improvement in process performance
• Quality Leaders aiming to reduce defects and improve first-pass yield
• Training Coordinators who need scalable, standardized training programs
• Operations Directors focused on productivity and compliance

The Bottom Line

Electronics manufacturing is changing faster than ever — and your team’s knowledge is your competitive edge. With the Engineering Pro, you’re not just buying courses; you’re investing in a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence. Link here. 

If you’re ready to empower your engineering team and elevate your manufacturing performance, explore the Global Electronics Association’s Engineering Pro Subscription. 

by Brian Knier, Chief Marketing Officer, Global Electronics Association 

With APEX EXPO approaching, my top three reads offer practical, immediately usable advice to boost small‑exhibitor results—at this show and others on your calendar this year.

• I‑Connect007: “The Marketing Minute: Trade Shows—The Investment That Keeps on Giving” — pre‑show content, meeting‑setting, and post‑show follow‑up tailored to electronics. https://iconnect007.com/article/144118/the-marketing-minute-trade-showsthe-investment-that-keeps-on-giving/144121
• MTW Magazine: “The Smart Exhibitor’s Playbook: How to Make Your Booth the Talk of the Expo” — irresistible offers, micro‑demos, and traffic‑driving tactics. https://www.mtwmag.com/the-smart-exhibitors-playbook-how-to-make-your-booth-the-talk-of-the-expo/
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: “Small Business Trade Show Tips” — booth prep, lead capture, and follow‑up checklists for lean teams. https://www.uschamber.com/co/grow/marketing/smb-trade-show-tips

By Dr. Diana Radovan, Director of Sustainability Policy, Global Electronics Association

Key Summary:

• EU Omnibus (2025): Simplifies and delays sustainability reporting under CSRD, CS3D, and the EU Taxonomy to reduce burden while preserving Green Deal goals.

• Reporting Delays: “Stop-the-Clock” postpones CSRD for Wave 2 and 3 companies and delays CS3D phase-in; Wave 1 companies receive streamlined ESRS relief for 2025–2026.

• Updated Scope & Timeline: Mandatory CSRD reporting starts in 2027 (large EU firms) and 2028 (certain non-EU firms) under simplified ESRS with DMA; SMEs remain voluntary.

• CBAM Amendments: Revised CBAM rules adopted in October 2025; final Omnibus measures expected to take effect in 2026.

In February 2025, the European Commission (EC) released its Omnibus on Sustainability Reporting proposal to reduce EU sustainability reporting burden while preserving the Green Deal essence and its impactful sustainability objectives. The proposal addresses both the content („Content proposal”) and implementation timeline (at EU Member State [MS] level: “Stop-the-clock” proposal) of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), and EU Taxonomy (EUT) Directive. 

Our Association has consistently advocated for proposed content-related simplification measures regarding sustainability reporting in these 3 key policies. See our position here.

Amendments to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulation were also proposed. On 17 October 2025, the Omnibus amendment to the CBAM Regulation was published in the EU Official Journal as Regulation (EU) 2025/2083.

In a parallel process, the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) has been tasked by the EC with simplifying ESRS, including adjustments to Double Materiality Assessment (DMA) requirements (see expected implementation timelines below). 

Abbreviations: EC = European Commission; EFRAG = European Financial Reporting Advisory Group; EP = European Parliament; ESRS = European Sustainability Reporting Standards.

The “Stop-the-Clock” directive (which our Association advocated for) postponed CSRD reporting obligations for Wave 2 and Wave 3 companies (i.e. those that had not already reported under CSRD) and delayed the first phase of CS3D by one year. Wave 1 entities were excluded, prompting the EC to adopt “quick fix” amendments to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) in July 2025, allowing Wave 1 companies to maintain—or, in some cases, reduce—their 2024 reporting scope for 2025 and 2026. 

Following months of negotiations, a content agreement was reached by the European Parliament and Council in December 2025 (see our statement here). The content and implementation timeline changes will become legally binding once published in the EU Official Journal (currently expected in March 2026). EU Member States will then have up to 12 months to transpose provisions (exception: CS3D provisions in July 2028). Changes to the CSRD, pending adoption after EU Official Journal publication, are summarized below.

Abbreviations: CSRD = Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive; DMA = Double Materiality Assessment; ESRS = European Sustainability Reporting Standards; SMEs = small, mid- and medium-size entities; VSME = Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standards. An up-to-date CSRD transposition tracker is available here.

For further information, including changes in CS3D, EU Taxonomy, and CBAM scope, read our upcoming i-connect March issue or contact me at DianaRadovan@electronics.org.

By Filiberto Severiano, Founder and Principal Consultant of SMTLINK Solutions

Key Summary:

• SMTLINK Solutions was founded to deliver integrated, end-to-end technical support for electronics manufacturers across Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
• Headquartered in Querétaro, Mexico’s Bajío nearshoring hub, the company supports the automotive, energy, industrial, and technology sectors.
• Provides a unified ecosystem of services including SMT and THT equipment support, reliability and maintenance, ESD compliance, IPC-aligned training, NPI and process development, automation, and Industry 4.0 traceability solutions.
• Helps manufacturers streamline operations, reduce downtime, and accelerate technology adoption through a single point of contact.

Located in the heart of Mexico’s Bajío region, one of the country’s fastest-growing nearshoring hubs, we built SMTLINK Solutions, S.A. de C.V.  to serve as a true strategic partner for electronics manufacturers seeking integrated, end-to-end technical support from a single point of contact.

As a Mexican company headquartered in Querétaro, we support customers across Mexico, the United States, and Canada, working with organizations in the automotive, energy, industrial, and technology sectors. From the beginning, the vision was clear: manufacturers don’t need fragmented vendors; they need trusted partners who understand their challenges and can deliver reliable solutions across the entire manufacturing lifecycle.

Our journey began with years of hands-on technical support, consulting, and training. In 2025, we formalized SMTLINK Solutions as a legal entity, transforming that field experience into a fully integrated platform focused on engineering excellence, reliability, and process optimization. Everything we do is grounded in practical experience and a commitment to measurable results.

Today, we operate through specialized business units that form a cohesive ecosystem. We provide technical support for SMT and THT equipment, reliability and maintenance programs, ESD assessments and compliance, IPC-aligned training and certification through SMTLINK Academy, strategic supply chain support, NPI and process development, automation and robotics integration, and Industry 4.0-ready IT and traceability solutions.

Our integrated model allows our customers to streamline operations, reduce downtime, and accelerate technology adoption without the complexity of managing multiple vendors.

Being based in the Bajío region places us at the center of Mexico’s nearshoring momentum. We work closely with both local and international manufacturers to optimize processes, shorten implementation timelines, and strengthen operational reliability across the supply chain.

We recently joined the Global Electronics Association because it aligns with our long-term vision: strengthening strategic partnerships, advancing technical standards, and contributing to a more connected and competitive electronics ecosystem across North America.

Looking ahead, we are committed to continuous training, certification, and standardization. Developing highly skilled specialists is not just part of our growth strategy; it is essential to Mexico’s increasing competitiveness in electronics manufacturing.

At SMTLINK Solutions, we are focused on expanding partnerships, strengthening our organizational capabilities, extending our North American footprint, and advancing digitalization and intelligent automation. Our goal is not simply to support manufacturing operations, but to help optimize, innovate, and build long-term reliability for our customers.