Intel introduced its new 18A computer chip at a convention in Las Vegas last week and the reception from buyers was warm, but the United States still has a long way to go to be a leader in the production process, according to one expert.
The US can indeed eventually become a world seller in chip manufacturing as it aspires to catch up with Taiwan, home of the world's largest number of chip processor building industries.
But for now, just building more computer chips at a faster rate is a high priority for the US government and the private sector, and some of that priority stems from competition with China.
The "High Tech Texan" Michael Garfield says he's seen the plants in China, and they are impressive.
"From silicon chips to hardware, televisions, it goes on and on, it can be built faster and certainly cheaper.
"These things can be built so much cheaper and more efficient when they're not built in the United States -- and I hate saying that because nobody's more pro-America than I am but I remember visiting Asia last year and see all these manufacturing plants in operation!"
He applauds the US spirit, saying "I think America's trying to give it a go, I love the idea that there are a lot more American manufacturing facilities being planned, there's a new plant being built in Arizona, and more," the KPRC 950 radio host says.
But the hard part is going to be matching the mass-manufacturing discounts and cheap prices that Taiwan and China have obtained, and China seems set on keeping as much of the semiconductor markets as it can.
"We don't want to pay for phones, we don't want to pay for laptops that are twice the current price," he says, so American manufacturers have to work hard to knock that chip off China's shoulder.