Blog

by David Isaacs, Vice President, Government Affairs

America’s competitive edge is at risk, as China and other competing countries take bold steps aimed at surpassing the U.S. as the global technology leader, according to a report released today by the Task Force on American Innovation (TFAI), an alliance of U.S. leaders in business, science, and academia. The report, titled Second Place America: […]

by Maryam Khan Cope, Director, Government Affairs

Earlier this month, President Trump announced an effort aimed at helping to ensure America wins the global race to deploy 5G wireless technology. Advanced wireless networks such as 5G hold the promise to revolutionize the way we communicate, work, and live by seamlessly connecting our cars, devices, and entertainment with unprecedented speed and security. At […]

by Falan Yinug, Director, Industry Statistics and Economic Policy

U.S. companies engaged in semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing were among the top U.S. corporate patent recipients in 2018, according to an analysis of new data from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. U.S. semiconductor firms consistently rank high on this list, because the U.S. semiconductor industry invests roughly one-fifth of its annual sales into research […]

by Falan Yinug, Director, Industry Statistics and Economic Policy

Semiconductors enable a wide variety of products, from smartphones and computers to cars and industrial equipment. Newly released data on 2018 semiconductor sales by broad product category, known as “end-use,” show sales increased across all categories, while end-use category shares remained remarkably stable from 2017. This is according to the 2018 annual Semiconductor End-Use Survey […]

by Falan Yinug, Director, Industry Statistics and Economic Policy

Semiconductors remained a top U.S. export in 2018, spurring American jobs, economic growth, and innovation. According to recently released U.S. government data, U.S. semiconductor exports in 2018 totaled $44 billion, ranking fourth among all U.S. exports, following aircraft and oil (crude and refined), and surpassing automobiles for the first time since 2010. The combination of […]

by Harry Clapsis, Manager, Government Affairs

The U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC) on Feb. 4 issued the Trump Administration’s 2018 Annual Intellectual Property Report. The report lays out a four-part strategy to promote and protect intellectual property (IP): engagement with trading partners, effective use of legal authorities, expanded law enforcement action and cooperation, and engagement and partnership with the private […]

by Harry Clapsis, Manager, Government Affairs

Rogelio Vasquez, the owner of an Orange County-based seller of electronic components, pleaded guilty on Jan. 17 to federal charges of selling counterfeit integrated circuits (ICs), some of which were destined for military systems. This case demonstrates the public health and safety threat posed by counterfeit semiconductors. In light of cases like this, U.S. Customs […]

by Falan Yinug, Director, Industry Statistics and Economic Policy

While much attention was paid last week to SIA’s release of final semiconductor sales in 2018 ($468.8 billion) and the percent growth over the previous year (13.7 percent), there was one equally impressive number that flew under the radar a bit: 1.004 trillion. That is the number of semiconductors that were sold in 2018, marking […]

by John Neuffer, President and CEO

Artificial intelligence – enabled by tremendous advances in semiconductor technology – holds the potential to greatly benefit society and strengthen America’s economy, national security, and global technology leadership. We welcome President Trump’s executive order, signed earlier today, launching an “American AI Initiative” and look forward to working with his Administration and Congress to ensure this […]

by Maryam Khan Cope, Director, Government Affairs

Bipartisan legislation introduced yesterday in the House and Senate would help level the high-skilled immigration playing field, relieve green card backlogs, and provide U.S. semiconductor companies with greater access to the top innovators from around the world. The Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act (H.R. 1044 and S. 386), introduced by Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) […]

by John Neuffer, President and CEO

With the 116th Congress well underway and President Trump set to deliver his annual State of the Union Address tonight, policymakers are hard at work setting the legislative agenda for 2019. Figuring prominently into the policy debate in the nation’s capital are several issues of great significance to the U.S. semiconductor industry, including trade, export control, […]

by David Isaacs, Vice President, Government Affairs

SIA today filed comments to the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in response to an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking of controls for “emerging” technologies. In accordance with requirements of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA), enacted into law as part of the defense authorization bill, BIS is required […]