Semiconductor Technology and U.S. National Security

摘要

The transfer of semiconductor technology from the U.S. to offshore locations, in particular, China, is a national security concern. In this globalization era, U.S. industries hail China as an enormous opportunity. Others, however, cast a suspicious eye on China's military modernization. Export policies to China's rising semiconductor capabilities are largely ineffective. Officials point to China's active involvement to secure a semiconductor infrastructure and the corresponding loss of U.S. semiconductor industry leadership. However, restricting the flow of semiconductor technology in the name of national security is unwise. Instead, the U.S. must provide the technical leadership to the U.S. semiconductor industry through innovative research and development. A viable solution must involve realigning semiconductor export policies, aggressively enforcing semiconductor intellectual property, streamlining the decision making process, and establishing U.S. government-run fabrication facility dedicated to semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing. America needs to establish its worldwide leadership in semiconductor technology in order to maintain a clear technological advantage over any peer competitor.