Japan to join US effort to tighten chip exports to China
- Together with a similar move by the Netherlands, this would represent a near total blockade of China’s ability to buy gear for making advanced semiconductors
- Japan’s Tokyo Electron Ltd. and Dutch firm ASML are the 2 critical suppliers that the US needs to make its chip sanctions effective
Japan and the Netherlands have agreed in principle to join the US in tightening controls over the export of advanced chipmaking machinery to China, according to people familiar with the matter, a potentially debilitating blow to Beijing’s technology ambitions.
The two countries are likely to announce in the coming weeks that they will adopt at least some of the sweeping measures the US rolled out in October to restrict the sale of advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment, according to the people, who asked not to be named because they are not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.
The Biden administration has said the measures are aimed at preventing Beijing’s military from obtaining advanced semiconductors.
The three-country alliance would represent a near total blockade of China’s ability to buy the equipment necessary to make leading-edge chips.
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AI chip maker ordered by US government to halt exports to China
The US rules restricted the supply from American gear suppliers Applied Materials Inc, Lam Research Corp and KLA Corp.