Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) called on April 14 for the U.S. Department of Commerce to work with domestic and foreign memory chip manufacturers to ensure that the American auto industry receives enough supply before allowing sales abroad. In a letter addressed to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Moreno said that the current shortage of memory chips is threatening jobs and raising costs in Ohio and across the country.
The issue matters because memory chips are essential components in vehicles, powering systems ranging from safety features to infotainment. The shortage has led to production delays and price increases, especially affecting states like Ohio where the auto industry is a significant part of the economy.
Moreno wrote, “The American people expect a trade policy that defends their jobs, industries, and future. That means fair trade on our terms, not free trade with foreign industries. Ensuring reliable access to critical inputs like memory chips is a necessary step toward meeting that expectation.” He also said that Micron Technology is currently the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of memory chips while other leading producers such as Samsung and SK Hynix manufacture most of their products overseas.
According to S&P Global, prices for these components could rise by as much as 100 percent in 2026 due to high demand and limited supply among leading producers who have acknowledged they cannot meet current needs. Auto manufacturers in Ohio have warned about possible plant shutdowns as early as May if shortages persist.
Moreno emphasized that this situation echoes disruptions experienced during the 2020 chip shortage when assembly lines halted and car prices surged. He noted Ohio’s reliance on automotive manufacturing—an industry supporting nearly one in ten jobs in the state—and highlighted ongoing investments by companies such as Micron aiming to expand domestic capacity.
In addition to his advocacy regarding technology supply chains, Moreno provides newsletter subscriptions for residents seeking updates according to his official website. He immigrated from Colombia at age five with his family and became a U.S. citizen at eighteen according to his official website. Moreno serves on Senate committees related to banking, housing, commerce, transportation, homeland security, governmental affairs and budget issues according to his official website, maintains offices throughout Ohio for constituent services according to his official website, promotes blockchain technology adoption according to his official website, engages experts on autonomous vehicle safety practices according to his official website, advocates equitable lending policies according to his official website and has built one of America’s leading car dealership groups demonstrating commitment toward job creation in Ohio.
