Shortage of microchips in production processes in the United States cost the American economy $240 billion last year, and electronics companies encountered the most significant impact, the US broadcaster CBS News reported.

Disruptions were sparked by closure of major chip production plants in Asia due to the pandemic, according to the broadcaster. “Sometimes we've had to scale back production because of chips that were just frankly unavailable... I think it's important for us to make this product in the United States. We’re not making enough of it now. We have to make more of it. And the only way that you do that is to have more plants. And so this is the investment, frankly, in the future. It's not that far off,” the CEO of the Optimal Design company, Sajid Patel said.