Semiconductor Shortage Shines Light On Weak Supply Chain

摘要

Semiconductors are the foun-dation of the advanced technol- ogies that regular citizens and military officials rely on - from cell phones and laptops to fighter jets. But the global shortage amidst soaring demand during the pandemic for electronic devices is illuminating supply chain issues and vulnerabilities for the United States. While the nation is a leader in the design of semiconductors, in recent decades the manufacturing and production of microelectronics has moved offshore and is now concentrated in places such as Taiwan and China. Officials and experts say that creates a major risk. "It is not an exaggeration to say at the moment that we have a crisis in our supply chain," said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo during an April hearing before the Senate Committee on Appropriations.