US semiconductor firms call for more backing from Washington to stay ahead of advancing China
- Congress asked to triple government spending on new designs and materials to boost chip performance
- Chips are critical for American economy, defence and technological leadership, companies say in report to Congress
In a bid to counter China’s growing prowess in semiconductor and related technologies, US companies are calling on Washington to boost spending on research and development by billions of dollars to bolster American competitiveness.
Semiconductor companies are calling on Congress on Wednesday to triple government spending to US$5 billion by 2024 to advance new designs and materials aimed at boosting chip performance.
They also seek a doubling, to US$40 billion, of research spending for semiconductor-related sectors including computer science, engineering and applied mathematics, and a 50 per cent hike to US$1.5 billion for US science, technology, engineering and maths education to help fill a skills gap.
In a 16-page report being released to Congress on Wednesday entitled Winning the Future, the 38-member Semiconductor Industry Association says chips are critical for the US’ economy, defence and technological leadership.
