PYEONGTAEK, South Korea -- President Joe Biden opened his trip to Asia on Friday by touring a South Korean computer chip factory that will be the model for a plant in Texas, holding it out as an illustration of how deeper ties with the Indo Pacific can fuel technological innovation and foster vibrant democracies.
The Democrat's first visit to Asia as president came as polling released Friday by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found Biden's U.S. approval rating at 39%, the lowest of his presidency. The survey also found deepening pessimism about the economy and the state of the United States - especially among Democrats.
"These little chips," Biden said in remarks after he toured the plant,"are the key to propelling us into the next era of humanity's technological development." Greeting Biden at the plant was South Korea's new president, Yoon Suk Yeol, and Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong. Yoon is a political newcomer who became president, his first elected office, just this month. He campaigned on taking a tougher stance against North Korea and strengthening the 70-year alliance with the U.S.
At one point during his tour, Biden received an in-depth explanation of a KLA inspection system on the Samsung plant floor. The California-based company is a major supplier to Samsung's semiconductor operations. After a worker named Peter explained the ins and outs of the machinery, Biden advised him,"Don't forget to vote," when he returns home to the United States.
More than 75% of global chip production comes from Asia. That's a possible vulnerability the U.S. hopes to protect against through more domestic production. There's $52 billion worth of government investment in the sector in a bill being negotiated in Congress.
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President Biden starts Asia trip with global issues and tech on agendaPresident Joe Biden is opening his trip to Asia with a focus on the computer chip shortage that has bedeviled the world economy, touring a Samsung computer chip plant that will serve as model for a $17 billion semiconductor factory that the Korean electronics company plans to open in Texas.
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