Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo met Thursday with CEOs and senior executives from companies representing the semiconductor supply chain and customer base.
The listening session included so many companies that the virtual meeting was broken into two sessions to accommodate all. The meetings continue a series held by White House and cabinet representatives. The chip shortage is affecting industries from automotive and mobile phones to RVs.
“Semiconductors play a unique role in our economic and national security, and when semiconductor supply chains are disrupted, the impact is felt across the economy,” Raimondo said. “Today’s listening sessions were part of ongoing conversations, including the White House Semiconductor Summit with President Biden, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese, myself, and CEOs and senior leaders from industries affected by the semiconductor shortage.”
Raimondo said the meetings’ goal was to address the shortage’s impact and discuss short-term and long-term solutions.
“These conversations continue to be incredibly useful – both to me and to industry leaders,” she said. “Our hope is these conversations will lead to solutions not only for the near-term shortage, but also measures to strengthen the domestic supply chain in the long-term.”
The conversations continue Monday when Raimondo is scheduled to tour Micron Technology’s plant in Manassas, Virginia.
“Today was another opportunity to engage leaders from the semiconductor ecosystem,” she said, “and I will continue to bring stakeholders together as we work to address our supply chain challenges.”
Politico reported the White House will discuss semiconductors during South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s visit. Raimondo reportedly will conduct a separate roundtable today with South Korean Trade Minister Moon Sung-wood and CEOs from the U.S. and South Korea.
