The United States has warned China that updated restrictions on chip exports are forthcoming, according to a U.S. government official speaking to Reuters. These tightened restrictions may be introduced as early as the beginning of this month.
“The People’s Republic of China expects an update around the one-year anniversary [of the export restrictions], based on discussions with government officials,” the U.S. official told Reuters.
The United States introduced its current export policy on October 7, 2022. The U.S. is said to have shared information about additional export restrictions with China in advance to stabilize relations between the two countries.
The updated rules would limit access to more chip production equipment in line with new Dutch and Japanese export regulations. They are also designed to close some ‘loopholes’ in the existing export restrictions on AI chips, as reported by Reuters. The U.S. has not yet provided specific information about the upcoming restrictions.
The existing export rules were intended to restrict China’s access to advanced AI chips and chip production equipment. This year, the Netherlands and Japan also imposed restrictions on the export of certain chip production equipment to China. This had an impact on the Dutch company ASML, which will no longer be able to supply advanced immersion lithography machines to Chinese companies starting next year.
The new, tightened rules may potentially affect ASML’s exports, Reuters notes. ASML’s lithography machines contain American parts and components. Reuters had reported in late June that stricter rules may be forthcoming to further restrict the production of DUV machines. ASML declined to comment on Reuters’ inquiries.
About the author: John Campbell
John Campbell is the godfather of Polimedia and the oldest author from the whole team. His occasional guidance is crucial for everyone he advises.
