President Biden emphasized the need for increased Made-in-America during his State of the Union address. From infrastructure programs to supply chain issues, Biden called for more goods to be produced in the US. “We will buy American to make sure everything from the deck of an aircraft carrier to the steel on highway guardrails is made in America from beginning to end.”
He pushed for legislation that would increase the reshoring of goods, particularly with new technology. “To compete for the jobs of the future, we need to level the playing field with China and other competitors. That’s why it is so important to pass the bipartisan Innovation Act sitting in Congress that will make record investments in emerging technologies and American manufacturing.”
Biden talking about infrastructure and manufacturing in the Sate of the Union address:
Biden also praised recent moves by American companies to build products domestically. “Intel, the American company that helped build Silicon Valley, is going to build its $20 billion semiconductor mega-site in Ohio. Up to eight state-of-the-art factories in one place. Ten thousand new jobs. In those factories, the average job: about $135,000 a year.”
He explained that the Intel manufacturing site will focus on producing chips that have been bogged down by supply chain issues overseas as well as working on emerging tech. “Some of the most sophisticated manufacturing in the world to make computer chips the size of a fingertip that power the world and everyday lives. From smartphones. The internet. Technology we have yet to invent.”
He went on to praise Intel’s intention to expand the original manufacturing site fivefold when the Innovation Act is passed. “But that’s just the beginning. Intel’s CEO, Pat Gelsinger told me they are ready to increase their investment from $20 billion to $100 billion. That would be the biggest investment in manufacturing in American history. And all they’re waiting for is for you to pass this bill.”
Biden sees domestic manufacturing growth coming from many US companies across multiple industries. “Intel is not alone. Just look around, and you’ll see an amazing story. The rebirth of pride that comes from stamping products Made in America. The revitalization of American manufacturing. Companies are choosing to build new factories here, when just a few years ago, they would have gone overseas.”
Biden pointed to specific manufacturing expansions in the auto industry. “Ford is investing $11 billion in electric vehicles, creating 11,000 jobs across the country. GM is making the largest investment in its history: $7 billion to build electric vehicles, creating 4,000 jobs in Michigan. All told, 369,000 new manufacturing jobs in America last year alone.”
The president expects domestic investments in manufacturing to change the economic landscape of the Midwest. “As Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown says, ‘It’s time to bury the label Rust Belt.’ It’s time to see what used to be called the Rust Belt become the home of a significant resurgence of manufacturing. Instead of relying on foreign supply chains, let’s make it in America. Economists call it ‘increasing the productive capacity of our economy.’ I call it building a better America.”