Former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger says the United States remains far from fully restoring domestic semiconductor manufacturing leadership, despite recent industry milestones and government support. Gelsinger emphasized that real progress must be measured by the number of wafers actually produced on American soil, warning it will take years to bring chip production back from long-established Asian supply chains.
Gelsinger spoke on The Claman Countdown, reacting to Intel’s latest announcements at the Consumer Electronics Show and broader efforts to strengthen U.S. semiconductor capacity. He stressed that chip manufacturing didn’t leave overnight and won’t return quickly, noting that decades of production shifting to Asia can’t be reversed in a short timeframe.
Much of the world’s advanced chip fabrication remains concentrated in countries such as Taiwan, a fact that carries economic and national security implications, according to Gelsinger. He underscored that programs like the Trump administration’s push to boost on-shore manufacturing must continue if the U.S. is to regain strength in this critical sector.
The Trump administration has taken active steps to support domestic semiconductor production, including a nearly 10% government stake in Intel as part of a broader strategy to entice leading chipmakers back to the U.S. and protect supply chains essential for defense and advanced technologies.
Gelsinger also pointed to the importance of other major chip designers, such as Nvidia and AMD, committing to manufacturing more of their products in the United States. He framed this as part of a long-term strategy, not a quick fix, urging continued focus on bringing fabs and related infrastructure stateside.
His assessment reflects a sober outlook on the semiconductor industry’s future: while progress is underway and milestones are being reached, there is still a long road ahead before the U.S. can match the scale of Asian production. Gelsinger said the metrics that matter most involve actual production capacity, not just announcements or investments.
As policymakers and industry leaders push to strengthen U.S. manufacturing, Gelsinger’s comments serve as a reminder that rebuilding a robust domestic semiconductor sector will take sustained effort and time. The balance between strategic investment, national security concerns, and global competitiveness continues to shape discussions around the future of American technology leadership.
