EMS & The Economist Deep Dive: The Real-World Impact of Tariffs, with IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac
Shawn DuBravac, Chief Economist at IPC, discusses the real-world impact of tariffs on the electronics and automotive industries, analyzing how US and EU measures have shifted production from China to countries like Mexico, Vietnam, and Malaysia. He explains that while tariffs initially force Chinese companies to absorb costs, they ultimately lead to supply chain restructuring, with Mexico becoming a key beneficiary for flat-panel TVs and increasingly for EVs. DuBravac also explores consumer price sensitivity, generational shifts in purchasing values, and how automation in new North American factories may narrow the cost delta with Asian manufacturing.