US Lawmakers Demand New Controls on Chip Tools for China
U.S. Pushes for Stricter Controls on Chip‑Making Equipment Sent to China
The United States is urging its government to tighten limits on the sale of high‑tech chipmaking equipment to China, arguing that current rules leave gaps that could jeopardize national security.
Bipartisan Letter:
Both the House Select Committee on China and the House Foreign Affairs chairs wrote a joint letter to the Secretary of State and the Commerce Secretary. They called on Washington to pressure allies into adopting nationwide restrictions on any semiconductor manufacturing tools that China cannot produce itself.Maintenance Services:
The letter also lists members from the South and Central Asia Subcommittee who want to block maintenance services for equipment already running in Chinese factories, emphasizing that keeping those machines operational is vital.
Presidential Briefing Request:
Lawmakers asked the President’s office to provide a briefing within one month on how it plans to secure allied cooperation for broad, country‑wide controls on critical semiconductor components.Recent Developments:
The warning follows reports that Chinese researchers in Shenzhen have built a prototype machine based on the European firm ASML’s extreme ultraviolet lithography tools—devices essential for producing the most advanced chips used in AI, smartphones and Western military systems.Strategic Gap:
Despite these breakthroughs, China still struggles with the precise optical technology that Western suppliers provide. The new restrictions aim to prevent further progress in areas deemed strategically important.
