Taiwan tightens Russia export curbs to stop military gaining access to technology amid Ukraine war

Taipei said the new rules were designed to prevent the Russian military getting access to hi-tech equipment, including chips

Companies will need to gain permission before selling a long list of tech-related goods to Russia

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Taiwanese tech firm TSMC exited Russia last week. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:37pm, 6 Apr 2022

Taiwan said on Wednesday it was tightening export curbs to Russia as part of sanctions on the country for its invasion of Ukraine, setting out rules to prevent technology and chips from being used for military purposes.

Taiwan has condemned Russia’s attack and already joined the Western-led sanctions effort, though it is largely symbolic as there is only minimal direct trade between the island and Russia.

Taiwan’s cabinet said in an announcement that any companies wishing to export a long list of tech-related goods to Russia would need to seek permission.

The move has been made “to prevent our country from exporting hi-tech goods to Russia for the production of military weapons”, the cabinet added.

The list includes equipment for making semiconductors, of which Taiwan is one of the world’s leading producers, as well as lasers and navigation systems.

The economy ministry added in a separate statement that it “urges industry to follow the export control laws, conduct due diligence before exporting, and avoid exporting products from the ‘Russian export list’ that can be used for weapons proliferation to Russia without approval”.