Latest! The United States plans to legislate to solve the "chip shortage"

On April 7 local time, U.S. President Joe Biden said that the U.S. Senate is preparing to legislate on semiconductors. The United States is currently working to address the continued shortage of key technologies used in automobiles, computers and other equipment .

In addition, Reuters reported on April 8 that the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on April 14 to discuss a bipartisan cooperation measure. The report said that the measure aims to strengthen U.S. technological research and development to cope with competition from China.

Several U.S. officials revealed that the White House will hold a virtual summit on "semiconductor legislation" next Monday, which is expected to be attended by U.S. auto industry executives including Ford Motor CEO Jim Farley, General Motors CEO Mary Barra, and White House officials Brian Deese and Jack Sullivan.

Earlier, a U.S. auto industry group urged the government to help solve the chip supply shortage. The group warned that the chip shortage could lead to a reduction in car production of 1.28 million this year and cause production to be interrupted for another six months . In addition, the group called on Congress to allocate more funds to help produce automotive chips.

Biden ordered federal agencies in February to take several actions to address the chip supply crisis and is seeking $37 billion in funding to boost the U.S. chip manufacturing industry. Automakers have been particularly hard hit by the global chip supply shortage as auto factories have been idled during the COVID-19 pandemic and many automakers have canceled orders.

Broadband internet, cellphone and cable companies urged the White House to remain technology neutral in addressing the chip issue. The Internet and Television Association (NCTA), an industry group, said in an assessment submitted to the U.S. Department of Commerce this week that providers are facing chip supply delays, which in turn has led to delays in the delivery of a large number of cable boxes, network switches, routers and servers. The organization expects that the semiconductor shortage and related delays will cost the broadband and cable TV industries hundreds of millions of dollars this year .

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing also said in an assessment submitted to the U.S. Department of Commerce: "The main risk facing the semiconductor supply chain is the lack of critical domestic manufacturing capabilities."

(Source: Reuters)

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on April 14 to discuss a bipartisan cooperation measure. Reports say the measure aims to strengthen U.S. technological research and development to counter competition from China.

To respond to China's challenges, the Endless Frontier Act was originally proposed in 2020. The bill calls for an investment of $110 billion over five years to promote technological research and development in the United States . The bill was co-sponsored by Senate Democratic leader Schumer and Republican Senator Todd Young.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell said in a statement that the upcoming hearing "will discuss potential actions to strengthen America's innovation ecosystem, including increasing National Science Foundation research funding; growing and diversifying science, technology, engineering and math disciplines; improving technology transfer; and investing in regional innovation hubs."

The report said that those attending the hearing included Kelvin Droegemeier, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during the Trump administration, Mary Lynn Miranda, provost of the University of Notre Dame, and educators from the open learning programs of Mississippi State University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In addition to the Senate Commerce Committee, Reuters reported that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is also working on legislation to address global strategic competition with China. Members said on April 7 that the committee hopes to complete the draft measures this week so that they can vote in the committee as early as next week.

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