In recent years, the "Beautiful Country" has been constantly evolving.

Firstly, the US government has introduced a series of restrictions and crackdowns on China's semiconductor industry.

High end chip products, semiconductor equipment for advanced process (14nm and higher) chip manufacturing, and high-end EDA tools. Not a single one was spared.

Recently, they have shifted their attention to PCBs again.

According to media reports, recently both parties in the United States passed the 2023 PCB and Substrate Act, aiming to prepare for further implementation of the Chip Act by incentivizing investment in their domestic printed circuit board (PCB) industry.

It is reported that the PCB related bill will provide $3 billion to fund factory construction, talent cultivation, and technology research and development, as well as provide a 25% tax credit for companies purchasing PCB and substrate products made in the United States.

3 billion US dollars!

It's like spending a lot of money.

The reason why they made such a big move is undoubtedly the particularity of PCBs.

PCB, also known as Printed Circuit Board (PCB) in Chinese, is the support for electronic components and the carrier for their electrical interconnection. Everyone likes to call it "the mother of electronic products".

Travis Kll, Chairman of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America, bluntly stated, "Chips cannot function alone. They require PCBs to be connected to other electronic devices. With the increase in semiconductor production capacity manufactured in the United States, PCBs are a crucial part of revitalizing the national microelectronics ecosystem. Without a strong domestic supply chain, we will completely rely on foreign suppliers to provide the PCB products we need

Inside and outside, it's all abacus.

The United States is once again ambitious about the PCB industry, which is closely related to the rise of China's PCB industry.

Data shows that in 2022, the total output value of the global PCB industry reached $81.741 billion, while China's PCB industry reached $44.2 billion, accounting for 54.1% of the global total, making it difficult to shake its core position.

Looking back, 200 years ago, the Americas, Europe, and Japan accounted for over 70% of the global PCB production value, making them the main production bases.

In the past twenty years, the PCB industry has undergone great changes and changes. The global electronic manufacturing capacity is gradually transferred to Asian regions such as Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, China and South Korea.

Especially in China, with its outstanding advantages in labor, resources, policies, and industrial agglomeration, it has become a global manufacturing center in the electronic manufacturing industry.

Since 2006, Chinese Mainland has surpassed Japan to become the world's largest PCB production base, with the output and output value of PCB ranking first in the world.

From here on, embark on the journey of 'champion'.

According to the list of the top 40 global PCB enterprises in 2022 recently released by Prismark, five PCB enterprises in Taiwan, China and two PCB enterprises in Chinese Mainland are listed in the top 10 in the world.

In addition, 8 PCB enterprises in Chinese Mainland and 7 PCB enterprises in Taiwan, China have entered the top 40 global PCB enterprises, which indicates that China's PCB plays an increasingly important role in the world.

(Image source: Chongda Technology 2022 Annual Report, data for reference only)

China's high-end PCBs are also catching up and running wild.

It is understood that China's first tier PCB companies are engaged in FPC, system packaging SIP products, carrier like SLP products, and HDI High end product fields such as rigid flexible circuit boards and small spacing LEDPCB have achieved considerable success.

According to data provided by PCBAA, the United States' share in global PCB production has decreased from about 30% 25 years ago to 4% currently. Some media even use the phrase "on the brink of extinction" to describe the PCB industry in the United States.

All of the above may have touched the nerves of some people, making them unable to sit still anymore. In order to ensure their leading position in the world, they may once again resort to conventional means. As the United States seeks to build its domestic PCB manufacturing capacity again, the PCB industry is experiencing a resurgence.

But as Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning recently stated, the United States is defending its own hegemony. Broadening the concept of national security, applying export control measures, and restricting exports to China. The United States is not only suppressing China, but also seizing the rights of developing countries to scientific and technological progress and normal development. Always suppress these countries at the low end of the industrial chain.

Oppression cannot hinder China's development, it will only enhance China's determination and ability to achieve technological self-reliance and self-improvement.

No matter how stormy the road ahead may be, we should strive for self-improvement.