SIA Urges President-Elect Trump to Support Policies that Promote Innovation

by John Neuffer, President and CEO

SIA sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump this week outlining a series of policy recommendations to strengthen the U.S. semiconductor industry, American innovation, and our economy. SIA’s policy plan calls for investing in basic research, enacting pro-growth corporate tax reform, ensuring free and fair access to global markets, strengthening America’s technology workforce, and promoting advanced manufacturing.

“U.S. semiconductor technology should be viewed as a strategic national asset, and the Administration should take a holistic approach in adopting policies to strengthen this vital sector,” the letter says. “The stakes are immense, and the consequences of inaction or weak action could harm U.S. competitiveness, economic strength, and national security for years to come.”

Semiconductors are the heart and soul of the digital economy and the nerve center of modern technology. Our industry employs a quarter of a million workers in the United States and supports jobs for more than one million more. The United States is home to more leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing facilities than any other country in the world, and U.S. semiconductor companies do the majority of their advanced manufacturing right here in the U.S.

All told, the U.S. semiconductor industry today is as strong and vibrant as it has ever been. But America’s continued strength and leadership in the semiconductor sector cannot be taken for granted. Industry and policymakers must work collaboratively to ensure the economic and strategic benefits of U.S. semiconductor industry leadership – more than a half-century in the making – do not slip away. SIA’s policy agenda aims to strengthen U.S. semiconductor industry leadership.

Additionally, SIA joined a coalition of tech leaders this week in offering recommendations to President-elect Trump to foster growth opportunities and job creation across the broader tech sector.

SIA looks forward to working with the incoming Administration and the new Congress to advance policies that embrace growth and innovation in the semiconductor industry and throughout the U.S. economy.