Biden in Michigan to visit a computer chip factory and push the agenda

BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) — President Joe Biden hit the road Tuesday to push forward his economic agenda, aimed at maintaining momentum after his party’s better-than-expected performance in the midterm elections.

Biden traveled to Bay City, Michigan on Tuesday to highlight the $300 million expansion of a semiconductor manufacturing plant. The facility, run by South Korean company SK Siltron, is expected to quadruple production in the coming years.

It’s the latest in a series of massive foreign investments in U.S. manufacturing and technology sectors announced by Biden amid a push by his administration toward onshore production of components and components. key products, after the COVID-19 pandemic pushed long-simmering supply chain issues. on the edge of the abyss. Biden has sought to bolster his political fortunes by attending inaugurations and other ceremonies marking historic investments, as he seeks to help Democrats midterm in 2022 and now as he eyes a new presidential race. White House in 2024.

“People want to come and invest here,” Biden said during his factory tour. « We exported more jobs than products. Now we are back in exporting products, not jobs. »

Biden was appearing with Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat who just won re-election in a closely watched race. Whitmer’s double-digit margin of victory over Tudor Dixon, a Republican who had denied the 2020 election results, has strengthened his position within his party.

A White House official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss details ahead of Biden’s trip to Michigan, said the Democratic president’s remarks would extend beyond semiconductor manufacturing, which was a priority of his administration. Biden also plans to focus on lower gas prices and efforts to protect abortion access.

The president returned Sunday from Nantucket, Massachusetts, where he spent Thanksgiving with his family. Later this week, he will host French President Emmanuel Macron for his administration’s first state visit.

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Chris Megerian, Associated Press