Chips. Inconspicuous and small devices of great importance for industry and the global economy. Today they have become the subject of competition between two powers.
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The last two years have seriously shaken the markets and torn tailor-made supply chains. Until the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, no one was short of components, as there were usually just as many as needed on the market. The problem arose after more countries began to close their borders, and the flow of goods, as well as their production, suddenly became questionable.
Unfortunately, problems also affected the sector of the aforementioned chips, elements without which many other devices and machines simply cannot function. The car industry was the hardest hit, but chip shortages were also felt in other industries.
The Americans woke up
The problem was very quickly diagnosed in the United States, where it was noticed that the dependence on the production of chips from the Chinese that had been built over the years was a dead end. Of course, it was difficult to predict that there would be a world pandemic and war in Europe in just two years, but since the milk had already spilled it was time to act.
This action was, in turn, the preparation of a special legislative package, the task of which was to increase the production of chips in the US, as well as competitiveness against the Chinese.
The bill, passed to the Senate under the name "CHIPS-plus", guarantees 52 billion dollars to support US companies that manufacture semiconductors and computer chips. Getting through the Senate was the most serious obstacle, but it managed to jump over 64 votes to 32.
National matter
Time is pressing, and while the bill has opponents, CNN says there is a good chance it will pass Congress by the end of July. This is important because then the package could be signed on the desk of President Joe Biden before the August summer break. - Semiconductors and chips are the building blocks of a modern economy. After all, we are talking about parts necessary for the functioning of even cars or smartphones - said the president.
- Over the years, the production of these extremely important components was shipped overseas, which was a serious mistake. For the sake of not only American jobs, but also our economy as a whole, we need to start producing them here - added Biden. - America invented the semiconductor. Time to finally take him back home - he concluded.
For Americans, the chip law is therefore a matter of not only a kind of prestige in the international arena, but also the basis of their national security. It is also worth adding that the „CHIPS-plus" package is a cross-party project that enjoys the support of both Democrats and Republicans.
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