US firm AXT applying for permits after China restricts chip-making exports
- California-headquartered AXT, which has manufacturing facilities in China, said its Chinese subsidiary Tongmei would immediately proceed to apply for the permits
- China’s commerce ministry said on Monday it would control exports of eight gallium products and six germanium products from August 1 to protect national security
US semiconductor wafer maker AXT said on Monday it would seek permits to keep exporting gallium and germanium substrate products from China, after Beijing abruptly imposed export controls on the metals that are key to making chips.
California-headquartered AXT, which has manufacturing facilities in China, said its Chinese subsidiary Tongmei would immediately proceed to apply for the permits.
“We are actively pursuing the necessary permits and are working to minimise any potential disruption to our customers,” said AXT chief executive Morris Young.
China’s commerce ministry said on Monday it would control exports of eight gallium products and six germanium products from August 1 to protect its national security and interests.
The controls mark the latest salvo in an escalating war over access to hi-tech microchips between Beijing and the United States and come as Washington considers new restrictions on the shipment of advanced semiconductors to China.
In the first quarter, gallium arsenide and germanium substrates exported from China contributed about US$4.3 million in revenue primarily for consumer, automotive, display and industrial applications, AXT said.