The U.S. government's role in foreign trade--what is the best approach?: a case study of the U.S. semiconductor industry

Abstract

This thesis examines the current state of the U.S. semiconductor industry in light of its alleged decline relative to foreign producers, specifically Japan, in the hope that an appropriate federal policy might be identified, based on current market conditions. Justification for federal intervention into private sector industry and the appropriate federal intervention methods are included, leading to a discussion of the national security benefits derived from a strong domestic semiconductor industry. Various micro federal government intervention methods are analyzed including a hands off policy, tariffs, anti-dumping measures, strategic stockpiling, DOD production, a Buy American policy, subsidized domestic production, and industry consortia. The goal is to determine how effective they will be in bolstering the U.S. semiconductor industry. However, the problems in the semiconductor industry are seen more as macro problems affecting the economy as a whole. Thus, the recommended intervention policies focus more on macro solutions including changes to the tax structure to encourage savings and discourage debt in order to reduce the cost of capital in the U.S. These solutions will tend to stimulate the economy as a whole, rather than stimulating the semiconductor industry by itself