Biden Calls Chip Manufacturers as Semiconductor Shortage Threatens America

There are plenty of threats to the United States these days, but not all of them are forthright, violent, or otherwise obvious.  There are some issues, like those within the supply chain, that could threaten us in ways that we’d never have imagined.

Such is the case in recent weeks in regard to semiconductors, used to make the microchips that power our cars, computers, smartphones, and more.  As manufacturers continue to run into issues in their attempts to garner the raw materials needed to meet demand, there are real fears that American factories will be forced to halt production of many of these items until these semiconductors can be sourced.

The Biden administration has recognized the threat that this poses, and is working toward some sort of solution.

U.S. President Joe Biden told a meeting with executives from major companies to discuss the global chip shortage on Monday that he has bipartisan support for legislation to fund the semiconductor industry.

He will urge Congress to invest $50 billion in semiconductor manufacturing and research as part of his broader focus on rebuilding U.S. manufacturing as a powerhouse for the world’s largest economy – and a source of good-paying jobs – after years of declining investments and productivity growth, a senior administration official said.

“Today I received a letter from 23 senators, bipartisan and 42 House members, Republican and Democrat, supporting the chips for America program,” Biden said at the beginning of the meeting.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters that no immediate decision or announcement was likely to come from the meeting, which she described as a time for the president “to hear directly from companies about the impacts, what would help the most through this period of time.”

Some have even suggested that China’s role in the supply chain for these items puts them in a position to wage a war of disruption against the United States and other global superpowers.