SEMI Outlines 2026 U.S. Policy Priorities for Growth

SEMI, the industry association serving the global semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, announced its 2026 U.S. Policy Strategy: Securing the Semiconductor Supply Chain to Enable American AI Leadership. This is designed to strengthen U.S. competitiveness, sustain long-term market investment, and support innovation across the full semiconductor ecosystem. 

These focal points reflect SEMI’s role as a trusted partner to policymakers and its commitment to advancing practical, coordinated, and industry-informed solutions that reinforce U.S. competitiveness in a highly integrated global industry.

SEMI policy priorities this year focus on providing certainty, enabling long-term investment, and ensuring the U.S. remains connected to the global network that makes semiconductor manufacturing resilient and sustainable.

“The semiconductor industry is vital to every facet of the modern economy, from artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing to national security and workforce development,” said Ajit Manocha, president and CEO of SEMI. “As global competition intensifies and policy frameworks continue to evolve, the ability of the U.S. to maintain leadership in semiconductor design, manufacturing, and innovation will depend on clear, predictable, and forward-looking policy execution.”

The SEMI 2026 U.S. Policy Strategy emphasizes five interconnected areas critical to strengthening U.S. leadership:

• Balanced trade policy that preserves access to critical inputs, avoids overlapping tariffs on the same product, and supports market access for U.S. companies while advancing national security objectives.
• A national semiconductor workforce pipeline aligned with federal, state, and industry programs to address critical talent needs across the semiconductor ecosystem.
• Long-term tax and R&D incentives that provide predictability for multi-year investments and support innovation across the full semiconductor supply chain, including upstream suppliers.
• Continued implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act and pursuit of a forward-looking roadmap to sustain momentum and ensure authorized funding translates into capacity and innovation.
• Pragmatic policies that balance environmental goals with the technological requirements of semiconductor manufacturing are necessary for continued innovation.

These priorities underscore the importance of early and meaningful engagement with industry for policymakers. 

SEMI’s 2026 U.S. Policy Strategy also highlights the importance of coordination with U.S. allies and partners, as well as continued support for public-private research partnerships. 

Semiconductor manufacturing relies on a global network of specialized materials, equipment, and expertise, and policies that are aligned internationally help strengthen supply chain resilience, protect shared security interests, and preserve U.S. competitiveness.