North American semiconductor industry 'unites'
Leading organizations across Quebec and the Northeastern states of the United States have joined forces to address trade challenges and strengthen resilience.
Recognizing the semiconductor industry as a cornerstone of national security and economic sovereignty, this unprecedented collaboration aims to ensure that North America remains resilient, competitive, and autonomous in this critical sector.
The coalition currently includes:
• AmCham Québec (Michel Belval, President)
• Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (Lindsay Kurrle – Agency’s Secretary)
• Université du Vermont (Kirk Dombrowski – Vice President for Research and Economic Development)
• Technum Québec – Innovation Zone in Electronics and Semiconductors (Manon Duclos, CEO)
• Distriq – Zone d’innovation quantique (Pascale Nini, CEO)
• C2MI – MiQro Innovation Collaborative Centre (Marie-Josée Turgeon, CEO)
• ISEQ – Pôle d’excellence de l’Industrie des Systèmes Électroniques du Québec (Alexandra Tolza, GM)
• Université de Sherbrooke (Pierre Cossette – Recteur)
• Conseil du patronat du Québec (Karl Blackburn – CEO)
Through the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between these stakeholders, the alliance will focus on:
• Developing a resilient supply chain for uninterrupted access to critical components.
• Facilitating policy coordination to mitigate the impact of trade barriers.
• Establishing the Northeast Semiconductor Manufacturing Corridor, spanning Quebec and northeastern U.S. states, as a hub for innovation and advanced manufacturing.
“As global pressures increase, North America must unite to secure its semiconductor supply chain,” said Michel Belval, president of the AmCham Quebec chapter. “This partnership exemplifies how collaboration across borders can drive innovation, protect economic stability, and address strategic challenges in a rapidly evolving world.”
“The Northeast Manufacturing Corridor is home to the highest concentration of semiconductor manufacturers, with thriving tech hubs on both the Canadian and American sides. This partnership not only strengthens our ability to address emerging industry demands but also highlights the importance of sharing expertise and resources across borders to drive progress in advanced technologies,” said Normand Bourbonnais and Manon Duclos, outgoing and current CEOs of Technum Québec.
This joint effort underscores the recognition of semiconductors as critical to economic and national security. By leveraging the collective strengths of this alliance, North America positions itself as a global leader in technological innovation while fostering economic prosperity throughout the region.
In the coming weeks, additional organizations are expected to join this movement, further expanding the scope of collaboration. This announcement marks the beginning of a long-term alliance aimed at advancing the electronics, semiconductors, quantum technologies, and technological innovation fields globally.
