SIA Applauds Senate Approval of Lighthizer as USTR

by Semiconductor Industry Association

WASHINGTON—May 12, 2017—The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research, today released the following statement from president & CEO John Neuffer commending Senate confirmation of Robert Lighthizer as the United States Trade Representative:

“With its central roles of opening markets and strengthening the rules-based global trading system, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is critical to the U.S. economy and to the semiconductor industry, a major contributor to America’s strength and technological leadership. With overseas customers accounting for more than 80 percent of U.S. semiconductor companies’ sales, our industry depends on a forward-leaning USTR to advance America’s trade interests around the world.

“Mr. Lighthizer is a seasoned trade hand. He has the knowledge and experience to lead USTR in ways that can enhance U.S. businesses’ ability to compete fairly in global markets. We applaud his nomination and confirmation as the United States Trade Representative and look forward to working with him and other Administration officials to strengthen U.S. trade policy and our economy.”

About SIA

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is the voice of the U.S. semiconductor industry, one of America’s top export industries and a key driver of America’s economic strength, national security, and global competitiveness. Semiconductors – microchips that control all modern electronics – enable the systems and products we use to work, communicate, travel, entertain, harness energy, treat illness, and make new scientific discoveries. The semiconductor industry directly employs nearly a quarter of a million people in the U.S. In 2016, U.S. semiconductor company sales totaled $164 billion, and semiconductors make the global trillion dollar electronics industry possible. SIA seeks to strengthen U.S. leadership of semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research by working with Congress, the Administration and other key industry stakeholders to encourage policies and regulations that fuel innovation, propel business and drive international competition. Learn more at www.semiconductors.org.