Former US National Security Officials Endorse Semiconductor Legislation, Funding

More than 15 former U.S. national security officials urged the Biden administration to support and fund legislation aimed at aiding the semiconductor industry and boosting U.S. competitiveness toward China. The April 13 letter, signed by former CIA directors, national security advisers and Defense Department officials, endorsed the Endless Frontier Act (see 2104140051) and the recently enacted Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act (see 2006110038), saying they will help build an “offensive strategy” to counter China and support innovation in critical technologies.

The former officials specifically said the U.S. need to “reduce the national dependency for critical items” from China and instead focus on research and development initiatives to remain the world leader in advanced technologies. “This will mean the difference between the U.S. setting global technology standards, accepting someone else’s, or depending on foreign countries for access to advanced microelectronics,” the officials said.