# EMS & The Economist Deep Dive: The Real-World Impact of Tariffs, with IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2024-07-30
- Length: 14m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-07-30-ems-the-economist-deep-dive-the-real-world-impact-of-tariffs-with-ipc-chief-econ

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-07-30-ems-the-economist-deep-dive-the-real-world-impact-of-tariffs-with-ipc-chief-econ#t=6) Introduction: Do Tariffs Work?
- [0:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-07-30-ems-the-economist-deep-dive-the-real-world-impact-of-tariffs-with-ipc-chief-econ#t=56) Supply Chain Shifts: China to Mexico and Southeast Asia
- [2:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-07-30-ems-the-economist-deep-dive-the-real-world-impact-of-tariffs-with-ipc-chief-econ#t=179) Who Pays the Cost? EVs and Flat Panels
- [7:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-07-30-ems-the-economist-deep-dive-the-real-world-impact-of-tariffs-with-ipc-chief-econ#t=470) Strategic Protection: PCBs and the EV Ecosystem
- [10:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-07-30-ems-the-economist-deep-dive-the-real-world-impact-of-tariffs-with-ipc-chief-econ#t=655) Future Competitiveness: Automation and Gen Z Values

## Topics

- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- IPC (company)
- BYD (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Volvo (company)
- Koh Young (company)
- Global Electronics Association (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#190 - Tariffs 2.0:  Hotpot Queen, Fila Manila & Circle Beverage](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-04-07-190-tariffs-2-0-hotpot-queen-fila-manila-circle-beverage) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [124: Tariff Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-05-08-124-tariff-talk) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Bonus: Tariffs 101 with Aaron Alpeter](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-02-06-bonus-tariffs-101-with-aaron-alpeter) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [How China is reshaping the global auto market](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-06-11-how-china-is-reshaping-the-global-auto-market) (Catalyst)
- [Beware of the Overachievers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-08-07-beware-of-the-overachievers) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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