# Exploring the Impact of Geopolitics on Asian Manufacturing and Global Supply Chains with TITOMA's Case Engelen

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2023-10-06
- Length: 18m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-06-exploring-the-impact-of-geopolitics-on-asian-manufacturing-and-global-supply-cha

## Summary

Case Engelen of TITOMA explains how geopolitical tensions and the 25% US import tax on Chinese goods are forcing a shift in manufacturing footprints, moving final assembly and SMT to Taiwan to avoid tariffs while keeping components sourced from China. He discusses the challenges of 'decoupling,' noting that while countries like Vietnam, Mexico, and India are beneficiaries, they lack the deep supply chain infrastructure of China, making relocation difficult and often more expensive. Engelen highlights TITOMA's specific expansion into Colombia, leveraging a bilateral trade pact to serve the US market, and emphasizes the importance of scenario planning and 'friend-shoring' to mitigate supply chain risks for clients.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-06-exploring-the-impact-of-geopolitics-on-asian-manufacturing-and-global-supply-cha#t=8) Introduction: Case Engelen and TITOMA's Taiwan Strategy
- [1:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-06-exploring-the-impact-of-geopolitics-on-asian-manufacturing-and-global-supply-cha#t=92) Decoupling from China: Taiwan as a Safe Haven
- [4:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-06-exploring-the-impact-of-geopolitics-on-asian-manufacturing-and-global-supply-cha#t=292) The Supply Chain Super-Tanker: Why China is Hard to Replace
- [9:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-06-exploring-the-impact-of-geopolitics-on-asian-manufacturing-and-global-supply-cha#t=568) Vietnam Costs and the 'Cost of Chaos'
- [10:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-06-exploring-the-impact-of-geopolitics-on-asian-manufacturing-and-global-supply-cha#t=656) TITOMA's Colombia Expansion and US Trade Pact
- [14:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-06-exploring-the-impact-of-geopolitics-on-asian-manufacturing-and-global-supply-cha#t=866) Friend-Shoring, Geopolitics, and Scenario Planning

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- TITOMA (company)
- Koh Young (company)
- Global Electronics Association (company)
- Apple (company)
- Zola (company)

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- [Nearshoring Manufacturing from Asia to Mexico: Risks, Rewards, and Realities w/ Matt Hannula](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-10-07-nearshoring-manufacturing-from-asia-to-mexico-risks-rewards-and-realities-w-matt) (The Manufacturing Executive)
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## Citing this page

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