The global semiconductor (chip) shortage, sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic, is having dramatic knock-on effects for manufacturing and, more widely, the achievement of the EU’s innovation and digital sovereignty ambitions. To address the issue, President von der Leyen announced, in her State of the Union speech last month, a breakthrough ‘EU Chips Act’. In a recent speech, Commissioner Breton mentioned how this is a “third way” for Europe to enhance its strategic autonomy in this area. And Intel, the world largest manufacturer of semiconductors, revealed its intention to build new chip-making facilities in Europe, valued at up to €80 billion.

How long is this crunch likely to last? How can Europe manage its dependencies? What does the EU “third way” actually imply?

To discuss these, and many other hot issues, ranking highly on political agendas, Bruno Liebhaberg, Director General of CERRE, will have an open conversation with Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, and Patrick Gelsinger, CEO of Intel, on Thursday 21 October at 18:00 CEST (9:00 PDT, 12:00 EDT).

The event will be livestreamed on the CERRE YouTube. Viewers will have the chance to ask questions via Slido during the event using the code #CERREchips.