North American Leaders to Deepen Cooperation on Semiconductors

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At the 10th North American Leaders Summit, the three leaders including Joe Biden, President of the United States, Canada’s Prime Miniter Justin Trudeau and Lopez Obrador of Mexico decided to cooperate and enhance supply in the semiconductor market, which is largely controlled by Asia, particularly China. The three leaders have made a commitment to collaborate in order to strengthen vital mineral supply chains, expand operations for charging electric vehicle batteries at international borders and create a market for clean hydrogen energy. President Biden said “Now we are working to a future to strengthen our cooperation on supply chains and critical minerals so that we can continue accelerating our efforts to build the technologies of tomorrow right here in North America.” The leaders revealed new three-country projects on a wide range of topics including public health, semiconductors, climate change, human migration, drug trafficking, clean energy, as well as methane and black carbon pollution. Additionally, the three countries also pledged to enhance the mapping of important minerals in North America in order to gather fresh data on resources and reserves. In the public-private partnership paradigm of the decade-old 100K Strong initiative, Canada and Mexico will be added as co-government partners. To exchange data and promote collaboration, the Geological Surveys of each country will host a trilateral workshop. The White House also confirmed in a statement that the three nations would host a first ever trilateral semiconductor forum in early 2023 with an objective of increasing investment in the important strategic semiconductor sector and adjust legislative initiatives for North American semiconductor supply chains.

Due to the widespread use of semiconductors in modern technology and computers, both industrialized and developing nations now recognize the significance of supply chains and therefore they are enhancing investment in particular industry. The strategically significant industry of semiconductors has elevated to a top priority in terms of economic and security for almost every country. As a result of supply-chain challenges in recent years that have sparked concerns about an excessive reliance on Asia, the three countries i.e. United States, Mexico and Canada at the summit agreed to deepen cooperation on semiconductors. Also, a plan will be developed by these countries for operating standards and the placement of EV chargers along international borders in order to facilitate a smooth transition of charging from one nation to the next. To conclude, most of the countries have recognized the importance of semiconductors due to the growing significance of semiconductors industry in economic growth. The Governments throughout the world are subsidizing semiconductor industry to assist the rising demand, strengthen domestic production and reduce their reliance on other nations.

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Author

Ezba Walayat

Research Associate, Pakistan House

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