US must be 'at the table' in semiconductor field: Blinken

US must be 'at the table' in semiconductor field: Blinken

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a State Department careers conversation at Purdue University, on September 13, 2022, in West Lafayette, Indiana
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a State Department careers conversation at Purdue University, on September 13, 2022, in West Lafayette, Indiana. Photo: Darron Cummings / POOL/AFP
Source: AFP

New feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find “Recommended for you” block and enjoy!

The United States should take on a greater role in the global semiconductor industry for the sake of its economy and security, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday.

Addressing students and researchers at Purdue University, home to one of America's top engineering schools, Blinken stressed the importance of "getting into that tech diplomacy, making sure that the United States is at the table when decisions are being made."

He added: "We need to be there, and not only do we need to be there, we need to be able to carry the debate."

The United States is leading an unprecedented effort to supercharge domestic semiconductor research and production, both to alleviate Covid-19 supply chain issues and shift away from reliance on Chinese technology.

The electronic components are essential for multiple global sectors, including the auto industry and smartphones.

Read also

Ukrainians urge US to ramp up support before winter

The Chips and Science Act, which US President Joe Biden signed into law last month, includes around $52 billion to promote domestic production of the microchips.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!

"What we do here resonates around the world," Blinken said at Purdue, noting that the technology affects all sectors, including foreign policy and defense.

Despite being far from Silicon Valley, the stereotypical hub of US technological innovation, Purdue boasts a prestigious engineering school and has several laboratories specializing in semiconductor research.

US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo accompanied Blinken on a tour of several research facilities at the Midwestern institution.

"The Chips Act is an investment in America," she said, adding that the United States needs to go from "lab to fab," meaning fabrication.

The two senior officials had just returned from a visit on Monday to Mexico, where they invited the country to join the United States in its multibillion-dollar push to boost semiconductor manufacturing to compete with China.

Read also

Top US diplomat in Mexico for economic talks

Supply chain snarls due to Covid-19 have disrupted production in all sectors, including advanced technology, and also revealed the dependence of the United States and other countries on China for technological components.

Biden recently called semiconductor production a matter of national security.

New feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find "Recommended for you" block and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.