European lawmakers have called on the European Commission to expedite the development of a new support program for the region’s semiconductor industry, particularly focusing on investment in AI chips and addressing technological gaps. A letter, authored by representatives from three major factions in the European Parliament and signed by 54 lawmakers, emphasized the urgency of bolstering Europe’s semiconductor sector.
The letter highlighted recent geopolitical developments that have underscored the need for Europe to secure continued access to advanced technologies. Lawmakers expressed concern that the progress under the original 2023 Chips Act has been too slow, urging the European Commission to act more swiftly.
The lawmakers’ plea follows a similar call from leading European chip industry firms, which have also voiced concerns over the pace of progress. While the European Commission has signaled plans to launch five new investment packages this year to support European industries, including AI, the letter criticized the absence of semiconductor-focused measures in these packages. Semiconductors, the lawmakers stressed, are central to the EU’s industrial ambitions, and the current lack of targeted support for the sector could hinder Europe’s technological and economic future.
The initial EU Chips Act prompted a wave of investment but fell short of attracting advanced chipmakers, with Intel notably halting plans for a large new factory in Germany. The lawmakers urged the Commission to address these gaps and act quickly, especially given the current geopolitical realities surrounding competition between the United States and China.
The letter also emphasized the need for Europe to protect its key players from the implications of extraterritorial laws and the escalating global competition in the semiconductor industry.