Europe Is Writing New Rules For Chips, Defense And EV Supply Chains: Alison James, Global Electronics Association

EMS@C-LEVEL · 14 Apr 2026 · 12m

What this episode covers

Alison James, Senior Director for European Government Relations at the Global Electronics Association, discusses the fragility of European electronics supply chains amid geopolitical tensions, highlighting risks from energy spikes and petrochemical dependencies. She details the upcoming European Chips Act proposal, expected in May, which integrates PCBs and EMS into a broader tech sovereignty package, and notes a new defense program allocating €122 million for capacity building in PCBs and IC substrates. The conversation also covers the 'Made in Europe' automotive procurement rules, which tie EV subsidies to union origin requirements for components and electronic systems, creating complex trade-offs for global sourcing.

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