Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1503998
44 PCB007 MAGAZINE I JULY 2023 ical products and materials supporting our national and economic security. We all know the statistics and they are sober- ing. We make barely 4% of the world's PCBs and an even smaller percentage of the sub- strates and advanced packaging. ese are risk factors as well as stark reminders of what hap- pened when we took our eye off the long-term consequences of offshoring. To reverse these trends, our speakers empha- sized that it would take a "whole of govern- ment" approach. No single agency can solve these problems. Coordinated policy and legis- lative action is needed. For example, the Department of Commerce is imposing export controls so that critical tech- nologies don't get into the hands of potential adversaries. e Department of Defense has taken action to prevent the use of microelec- tronics made in restricted countries. PCBAA was instrumental in getting the right language in the National Defense Authorization Act that ensures the security and resiliency of our Defense Industrial Base. Our speakers characterized the actions I just mentioned as defensive actions the U.S. can take to stay ahead of peer competitors. How- ever, playing defense alone won't work. Over time, competitor nations will either create better microelectronics or find ways around restrictions. We need to go on the offense. As we saw in the CHIPS Act, private money followed fed- eral money to invest in all aspects of Ameri- can semiconductor production. e PCBS Act does the same thing, albeit on a smaller scale. e PCBS Act provides a tax credit for OEMs to purchase American-made PCBs and sub- strates, and funds workforce development, capital investment, and research and develop- ment to innovate and push the state of the art. e PCBS Act is our current vehicle to secure the public investment that will, in turn, attract private investment. Our speakers also affirmed that num- bers matter in Washington. e more mem- bers PCBAA has, the louder our voice will be amidst the cacophony of competing inter- ests in our nation's capital. Now is the time to join our team and give our industry the strong voice it deserves. PCB007 Travis Kelly is CEO of Isola- Group and current chairman of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America. To read past columns, click here.