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How the US Can Strengthen the Global Semiconductor Ecosystem
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How the US Can Strengthen the Global Semiconductor Ecosystem

Ramiro Palma, Trey Sexton, Raj Varadarajan, Thomas Baker and Akash Bhatia
Boston Consulting Group, 2022
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8

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Recommendation

Any time demand for a product exceeds supply, there’s opportunity. But when the demand is for semiconductors, and manufacturers can’t keep up, there’s an added element of danger. Modern society requires semiconductors to run smoothly. In this report, the Boston Consulting Group describes ongoing efforts to strengthen the semiconductor industry in the United States, along with further actions – from academia, government, investors and private industry – needed to secure the future.

Summary

The United States passed the CHIPS Act to safeguard against future shortages of semiconductors.

The first years of the 2020s were marked by a global shortage of semiconductors. The effects of this lack weren’t purely economic, but flew at the heart of global security. Strengthening the semiconductor industry is necessary to industry, defense, aerospace and infrastructure as a whole. Unfortunately, the global semiconductor supply chain is anything but simple.

The United States once played a strong role in the semiconductor industry, but it hasn’t maintained that role, particularly when it comes to manufacturing. In 2022, the US manufactured about 10% of the global semiconductor supply, projected to fall to 8% in 2023. In an attempt to limit future decline, the US passed the CHIPS and Science Act in August 2022, equipping the ...

About the Authors

Ramiro Palma, Trey Sexton, Raj Varadarajan, Thomas Baker and Akash Bhatia are professionals with the Boston Consulting Group.

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