U.S. Dem Senators Urge Taiwan To Help Cut Auto Chip Shortage

A trio of Democratic US senators has asked the Taiwanese government for more help in addressing a chip shortage that has left numerous American auto production lines at times standing idle.

Photo Insert: Taiwan's de facto ambassador in Washington, Hsiao Bi-khim

The letter, dated Aug. 18 and first reported by David Shepardson of Reuters, was sent by Michigan Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow and Ohio's Sherrod Brown to Taiwan's de facto ambassador in Washington, Hsiao Bi-khim, praising her "efforts to address the shortage."

But the senators added they were "hopeful you will continue to work with your government and (chip) foundries to do everything possible to mitigate the risk confronting our state economies."

The three emphasized in a statement that additional steps could be taken to increase chip production. The shortage has spurred production cuts and layoffs and rippled through the economies of states that are heavily dependent on the auto industry.

Ford Motor Co. earlier in the week said it would halt output for a week starting Monday at production lines that build its best-selling F-150 pickup trucks because of the shortage.

General Motors Co. suspended production for a week at three North American truck plants earlier this month because of the same issue. Nissan Motor Co. earlier this month halted output for two weeks at a major Tennessee plant due to the impact of COVID-19 in Malaysia and chip issues.

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