Joe Biden to order a review of overseas supply chains of semiconductors and rare earths

Joe Biden and his administration is set to conduct a review of American supply chains from overseas. The review would look into where the key raw materials that the US uses come from.

The review that Biden is expected to order would be into the supply chains for semiconductors, batteries, medical supplies, and rare earth metals. The directive is still in the works and thus, there has yet to be a final draft presented. The review would also be done by members of Biden’s economic and national security teams which will look into the discrepancies in domestic manufacturing as well as supply chains that may be run by countries that would likely become unstable or unfriendly to the US. The expected order is in part of the administration’s efforts to look into and shore up American businesses and defense interests.

The administration’s review will be done in two phases with the first phase taking place in a span of 100 days. The first phase will involve looking into the high-priority supply chains, including rare earth metals, semiconductor manufacturing and packaging, high-capacity and electric car batteries, and medical supplies. The second phase will be an expansion of the first as the Biden administration would investigate other sectors such as the production of equipment for defense, public health, energy, and transportation.

By the time both phases are completed and a year has passed since the order was given, the group will be turning in their recommendations to Biden regarding possible action to take. This also includes diplomatic agreements, alterations in the trade route, and other ways to maintain the supply chain and prevent it from getting monopolized.

In other related news, the Biden White House released a statement with the President’s reflection on Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent among those of Catholic faith. Biden is the second Catholic president elected in the country, the first being John F. Kennedy Jr.

“On this Ash Wednesday and every day, we hold every family with an empty place at their table in our hearts. We pray for all those who have fallen on hard times and are worried about what morning will bring. Let us find strength in each other and faith that provides us purpose. And let us look with hope and anticipation toward Easter and brighter days ahead,” said the statement.