The US has strengthened its export controls to further limit the access of Chinese companies to American technology, including semiconductor manufacturing equipment and software tools.
The US Commerce Department announced the addition of 140 Chinese companies to its “entity list,” which now includes firms involved in chipmaking equipment, semiconductor production tools, and software development. Some of these companies are Chinese-owned entities based in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.
The new regulations also restrict exports of high-bandwidth memory chips to China, which are essential for processing large data sets in applications such as artificial intelligence (AI). The US Bureau of Industry and Security stated that these measures would hinder China’s capacity to manufacture semiconductors that could be used in advanced weapon systems and AI-driven military technology.
China’s Commerce Ministry condemned the move, calling it “economic coercion and non-market practice” and vowed to protect its “rights and interests,” though it did not elaborate on specific actions.
US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo emphasized that the purpose of these controls was to limit China’s use of advanced technologies that could threaten US national security. Being added to the “entity list” means US companies will likely face significant obstacles in obtaining export licenses to do business with these Chinese firms.
This expansion is part of Washington’s broader strategy to prevent the transfer of American technology to support China’s semiconductor capabilities. China has accused the US of seeking “technology hegemony,” noting that Washington’s measures have intensified pressure on Chinese firms like Huawei by restricting their access to US suppliers.
In response to these restrictions, China has accelerated its own efforts to advance domestic chip production, channeling billions of dollars into subsidies and investments. Although progress has been made, Chinese manufacturers still lag behind in certain high-tech areas.
