US memory chip maker Micron says Chinese officials visited its offices ‘seeking information’ in possible new trade war front
Local media reported that visits may have been sparked by concern about continued price increases for memory chips
Micron Technology Inc., the largest US maker of computer memory chips, said Chinese regulatory authority representatives visited its offices in that country, potentially opening another front in a growing trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies.
“Micron confirms that China’s State Administration for Market Regulation authorities visited Micron’s China sales offices on May 31 seeking certain information,” the Boise, Idaho-based company said in an emailed statement Friday. “Micron is cooperating with Chinese officials.”
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The memory chip market has been increasingly concentrated in the hands of Micron and its two Korean rivals, Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. who have enjoyed record profits from the devices that are essential to everything from supercomputers to smartphones over the last year.
Chinese media reported that Samsung and SK Hynix also received visits from local regulators seeking information. Neither Korean company responded to requests for confirmation and comment.
Local media reported that visits may have been sparked by concern about continued price increases for memory chips.