Texas A&M University leaders, state officials, and industry partners gathered at the RELLIS campus on April 9 to launch the Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute—a more than $200 million initiative to boost domestic chip production. Governor Greg Abbott underscored the importance of “microchip independence,” pointing to national security and economic growth as key motivations behind this investment.

The University of Chicago has secured a federal grant aimed at expanding America’s semiconductor production. The award comes only weeks after President Donald Trump threatened a 100 percent tariff on imported computer chips—a move that could raise the cost of everything from smartphones to sedans while pressing manufacturers to build at home.