U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will today make a pitch in Michigan for U.S. Congress to approve US$52 billion to expand U.S. semiconductor manufacturing even as it continues to review data on the chips market from companies around the world.

Raimondo is visiting a United Auto Workers local hall and meeting with Michigan politicians, officials from General Motors Co., Ford Motor and Chrysler-parent Stellantis on the chips push.

Detroit’s three major automakers and other global automakers have been forced to cut production and even make some vehicles without features like heated seats or digital speedometers because of semiconductor shortage.

In September, the U.S. Commerce Department issued a request for information on the chips market to automakers, chip companies and others, saying the information would boost supply-chain transparency, and set a Nov. 8 deadline to respond.

Raimondo told reporters more than 150 firms “including many companies in Asia voluntarily” submitted data to the department. “We’re very pleased with the volume of response,” Raimondo said. “These are extremely detailed and we’re still evaluating the quality of the submissions.”

Raimondo said it will be “several more weeks” before the department will offer its assessment. She also expects to share a high-level summary but pledged to protect confidential company data.

She said it’s too soon to say if the department will need to invoke compulsory measures to get additional data: “It’s still an option.”

On Nov. 17, U.S. House and Senate leaders said they will negotiate seeking final agreement on a bill to boost U.S. technology competitiveness with China and chip manufacturing. The Senate-approved legislation would award US$52 billion for semiconductor manufacturing and authorize US$190 billion to strengthen U.S. technology and research.

“China, the EU and so many others are all moving forward, while the United States is playing catch-up. We cannot afford to fall behind,” Raimondo plans to say today, according to excerpts released by her office.

(SD-Agencies)