The Commerce Department said it will launch a review of the semiconductor supply chain to determine the extent of China's domination.

The survey announced Thursday will cover "legacy" chips — that is, not the most advanced chips used in cutting-edge computers, but ones used in a wide range of technologies in everyday use. A lack of access to such chips helped drive the shortage of automobiles in the wake of the pandemic.

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE BLOWS PAST EXPECTATIONS, SURGES BY MOST SINCE EARLY 2021

The review, which will be gathered by the Bureau of Industry and Security starting in January, will detail what chips are received from Chinese manufacturers in hopes of limiting U.S. reliance on the strategic adversary. The survey is the latest in a series of actions the Biden administration has taken to shore up domestic production of chips to avoid relying on China.

"Over the last few years, we've seen potential signs of concerning practices from the PRC to expand their firms' legacy chip production and make it harder for U.S. companies to compete," Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement. "To get ahead of these concerns, the Department of Commerce is taking proactive measures to assess the U.S. semiconductor supply chain by collecting data from U.S. companies on the sourcing of their legacy chips." Legacy chips are defined by Commerce as semiconductors that are 28 nanometers or larger.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The new measures were announced in response to a report released by Commerce last week detailing the country's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. The U.S. accounts for approximately half of all global semiconductor revenue but faces threats to production capabilities thanks in part to subsidies for manufacturing in other countries.

The Biden administration has introduced several new efforts to crack down on China's access to semiconductor components. It announced a series of new sweeping restrictions on shipments of advanced chips and chipmaking tools in October. It also began sending out grants to chipmakers around the country as part of the $280 billion Chips and Science Act, starting with the makers of chips for F-35 fighter jets.