Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1529988
50 SMT007 MAGAZINE I DECEMBER 2024 Many of my friends say that I am an eternal optimist and that is probably true. I see things as they are and ask how they could be better. For example, I know that the relationship between the U.S. and China, at times, faces challenges. But as an optimist, I believe that regardless of the geopolitical arena, the companies in our industry can rise up and work together. e PCB industry is oen referred to as the backbone of modern electronics, and so the collaboration between China and the United States, the world's two largest economies, plays a critical role in shaping the future of this indus- try. As we look ahead, it's essential to under- stand the dynamics at play, the challenges that The Future of U.S.-China Collaborations lie ahead, and the opportunities that could arise from a balanced and strategic partnership between these two giant countries. The Dynamics at Play We certainly have a history of working together. e history of China-U.S. collabora- tions in the PCB industry is one of interdepen- dence. Over the past few decades, China has become the world's factory, producing a large portion of the world's PCBs. is develop- ment was driven by several factors: lower labor costs, government incentives, and an increas- ingly skilled workforce. U.S. companies, on the other hand, have traditionally led in inno- Global Citizenship by Tom Yang, CEE PCB