Why the global supply chain still depends on China for advanced circuit boards

Over the past year, I‘ve heard the same question from many overseas customers: “Will your production be affected by U.S.-China tensions? Should we move orders to Vietnam or Mexico?“

My answer has always been consistent: The concentration of PCB manufacturing in China is the result of three decades of market-driven choices. Leaving China is easy; finding a true replacement for China‘s PCB industry is nearly impossible.

1. The Capacity Anchor: Why PCB Production Won‘t Move Out of China

Output and market share continue to grow

In 2025, mainland China‘s PCB output value grew 22.3% year‑on‑year to $34.18 billion, raising its global market share from 34.9% in 2024 to 37.6%.…