Blog

by Semiconductor Industry Association

When it comes to America’s high-skilled immigration system, demand for talent far exceeds supply. That unfortunate fact will be reinforced this week as the U.S. government begins accepting applications from employers for H-1B visas for highly educated workers who are needed to fill open jobs in the U.S. Since U.S. businesses demand far more skilled […]

by Semiconductor Industry Association

Did you know that the global semiconductor industry reached record sales of $336 billion in 2014? Did you know that the U.S. semiconductor industry maintained market share leadership with 51 percent of the global market in 2014? Did you know that semiconductors were America’s third-leading manufactured export in 2014 behind only airplanes and automobiles? These […]

by Semiconductor Industry Association

The World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization recently published its annual Semiconductor End-Use Report for 2014, which breaks down sales by end-use and regional end-market for a wide variety of semiconductor products. The figure below shows the six major semiconductor end applications by percent share of total semiconductor end sales for 2014.

by David Isaacs, Vice President, Government Affairs

When it comes to the immigration debate in Washington, too often the facts get lost in the rhetoric. To set the record straight on immigration, SIA and a group of 18 other industry leaders have developed a document titled “Debunking the Myth that Immigration Harms America.” The document, which was presented today at a hearing […]

by David Isaacs, Vice President, Government Affairs

At a meeting in Vienna, Austria this week, a United Nations commission will decide whether to restrict the use of two chemicals of critical importance to the semiconductor industry under an international drug control agreement. In comments to the U.S. government, SIA outlined its strong opposition to the restriction of these chemicals and urged U.S. […]

by Semiconductor Industry Association

[Note: This is part one of a series on the semiconductor manufacturing process and the associated industry business models.] Often, I am asked by people new to the semiconductor industry how semiconductors are made. While the science and engineering behind how semiconductors are made is akin to modern day alchemy and the process is quite […]

by Semiconductor Industry Association

In a meaningful, incremental step forward in the effort to reform America’s high-skilled immigration system, the Obama Administration today announced a new regulation that will allow spouses of certain high-skilled immigrants working in the U.S. to apply for work authorization of their own. This common sense initiative will increase companies’ access to the world’s top […]

by John Neuffer, President and CEO

SIA and a coalition of technology leaders today urged Congress to approve Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation, which would help the United States negotiate and finalize key trade agreements that will lower tariffs, boost U.S. exports and create jobs: “TPA gives the U.S. one voice on trade … [It] strengthens our country’s negotiating position and […]

by Semiconductor Industry Association

Last November, when I wrote about industry sales through the third quarter of 2014, I said that it was hard to envision final 2014 sales not being the highest annually on record and that a more interesting question to consider was whether final 2014 annual sales would surpass the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics’ (WSTS) forecast […]

by Semiconductor Industry Association

SIA welcomes the news that U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman formally delivered the United States’ letter of acceptance of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) to the WTO Director in Davos, Switzerland on Friday. Delivery of the letter was a welcome final step in U.S. acceptance of the Agreement. The TFA will enter into force […]

by David Isaacs, Vice President, Government Affairs

SIA last week sent a letter to Senate leaders in support of the Immigration Innovation Act of 2015 (I-Squared Act), legislation introduced last week by a bipartisan group of senators led by Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn). “The I-Squared Act would strengthen the U.S. economy and promote innovation by making important improvements […]

by David Isaacs, Vice President, Government Affairs

As we prepare for the official start of the 114th Congress on Jan. 6, it’s a good time to assess the election results and the landscape for semiconductor industry priorities in the new Congress. The most notable change in Washington from the 2014 elections is that Republicans gained the majority in the U.S. Senate for […]