White House announces more steps to strengthen US supply chains

The White House on Thursday announced 10 new measures as part of its year-long campaign to strengthen US supply chains against climate shocks and geopolitical tensions and ensure that China or other countries cannot use the supply chains. offer as a weapon against the US.

Administration officials said the United States has made good progress since President Joe Biden signed an executive order a year ago that began efforts to bolster domestic production of semiconductor chips, electric vehicle batteries, rare earth minerals and pharmaceuticals. .

But they said more work is needed to address persistent supply chain challenges and strengthen the domestic industrial base.

Seven government agencies are expected to publish six reports mapping plans to address weaknesses in some of the country’s most important supply chains, including transportation, health, defense and food, the White House said.

The main planned steps include:

• Initiative to increase funding for domestic semiconductor production, biotechnology and biomedical products, renewable energy and energy storage.
• Expand access to capital for smallholders through new and existing programs at the Treasury Department and Small Business Administration, including $10 billion in US Rescue Plan funds.
• Opening of a $450 million program by the Department of Transportation to pay for U.S. port improvements and funding for other transportation infrastructure projects under the bipartisan infrastructure law