Brussels will propose a European law on semiconductors to defend the technological sovereignty of the EU in this strategic area, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised on Wednesday.
Read alsoSemi-conductor shortage is hurting the global automotive industry
Indispensable in everyday objects such as cars or mobile phones, semiconductors are in short supply worldwide and Europe is increasingly dependent on Chinese or American imports in this market estimated at 440 billion euros.
“
As we speak, entire production lines are already idling despite growing demand due to a shortage of semiconductors.
As global demand has exploded, Europe's share in the entire value chain, from design to manufacturing capacity, has declined,
”she said.
Voluntarist speech
“
We are dependent on the most advanced microprocessors made in Asia.
So it's not just about our competitiveness.
The stake is also our technological sovereignty.
(...) We will present a new European law on semiconductors,
”said Ursula von der Leyen.
The head of the European executive adopted a proactive tone.
“
We need to combine our world-class research, design and testing capabilities.
We need to coordinate the investments of the EU and the Member States along the entire value chain
”.
“
The objective is to create together a European ecosystem of semiconductors at the cutting edge of progress, integrating production.
This secures our supplies and will allow us to develop new markets for innovative European technologies
, ”she added.
By 2030, the European Union aims to produce 20% of semiconductors in the world, a doubling of its current share, according to a roadmap presented in early March by the Vice-President of the European Commission Margrethe Vestager and Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton.
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