US Imposes New Export Controls on China Chips

The United States has launched its third major crackdown on China's semiconductor industry, imposing new export restrictions on 140 companies, including significant Chinese chip toolmakers like Piotech and ACM Research. These measures are aimed at curbing China's ability to produce advanced memory chips critical for military applications and artificial intelligence, as expressed by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who described them as the strongest controls enacted to date. Companies like Shenzhen Pensun Technology, linked to Huawei, will be significantly impacted by the restrictions, which include controls on 24 new types of chip manufacturing tools. The Biden administration's ongoing efforts reflect concerns over national security and the potential military advancements that could arise from China's semiconductor capabilities. This latest round of restrictions comes as President-elect Donald Trump is expected to continue similar tough measures against China. The implications of these controls could further strain US-China relations amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.