Analysis: How idled car factories super-charged a push for US chip subsidies Toggle share menu Advertisement Analysis: How idled car factories super-charged a push for US chip subsidies When President Joe Biden on Wednesday stood at a lectern holding a microchip and pledged to support US$37 billion in federal subsidies for American semiconductor manufacturing, it marked a political breakthrough that happened much more quickly than industry insiders had expected. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers holds a semiconductor chip as he speaks prior to signing an executive order, aimed at addressing a global semiconductor chip shortage, in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 24, 2021. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst