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12 SMT007 MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER 2025 advantages—proximity to North America, time zone alignment, deep manufacturing know-how, and a rapidly maturing technical workforce—are turn- ing constraints into competitive strengths. When a buyer in Austin or Detroit can start the morning with real-time quality data from Guanajuato, the busi- ness case speaks for itself. Tariffs and Policy: The New Gravitational Fields Once background noise, trade policy and tariffs now act as gravitational forces reshaping supply chains. Whether legacy tariffs between major economies or thematic regimes tied to security and sustainability, manufacturers must treat policy as a first-order variable. Mexico's strategic position is reinforced by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and a wide trade agreement network that favors North American content, rules of origin, and predictable market access. For electronics OEMs and EMS pro- viders, this translates into lower volatility, clearer tariff frameworks, and closer integration with cus- tomers, paired with greater responsibility: docu- mentation rigor, content verification, and the ability to demonstrate processes through internationally recognized standards and training. Mexico's Formula: People, Processes, Proximity People: Talent is the foundation. Across states, we partner with public training institutions and universi- ties to create skill pathways that match real factory demand. In Guanajuato (IECA-CEDECI), Queretaro (ICATEQ and UNAM), and Ciudad Juarez (CIITA- IPN), partners align curricula with competency- based standards—from ESD/FOD and component ID to acceptability criteria and connected factory concepts. Dual training models turn knowledge into on-the-floor performance. Processes: Quality is a language. Standards like IPC-A-610 (Acceptability of Electronic Assem- blies), J-STD-001 (Requirements for Soldered Elec- tronics and Electrical Assemblies), and IPC/WHMA- A-620 (Requirements and Acceptance for Cable Harnesses) are the grammar. Their adoption and related training drives consistency, fewer reworks, reduced waste, and greater customer trust. Compa- nies that embed standards into their operating sys- tems become natural nodes in resilient networks. Proximity: Geography reduces friction. No other country shares nearly 2,000 kilometers of border with the world's largest economy. Same-day com- munication, synchronized engineering changes, and rapid prototype iteration compress design- to-delivery cycles. Proximity also protects IP and enables collaborative problem-solving: engineers troubleshoot side by side with customers, quality teams align face to face, and leadership walks the line together when it matters most. I know because I've walked that line with operators, supervisors, and engineers to listen and understand their train- ing needs. Active Industrial Policy for Electronics As geopolitical tensions grow and supply chains shift, governments are racing at different speeds to address gaps in domestic electronics manufacturing. Mexico is making its move through an active industrial policy: • Semiconductor Industry Master Plan: Launched with the U.S. Embassy and CANIETI, the plan aims to double exports and tech jobs by 2030, anchoring design, testing, and advanced manufacturing capabilities. • National Lab for Semiconductor Design and Advanced Electronics (Aguascalientes): A new platform to strengthen design, testing, and packaging capabilities extending Mexi- co's role beyond final assembly.