[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] The U.S. Department of Commerce has imposed export restrictions on SMIC, China's largest semiconductor manufacturer.
According to major foreign media on the 27th, the U.S. Department of Commerce sent a letter stating that computer chip manufacturers must obtain a license to export certain technologies to SMIC and its subsidiaries in the future.
This appears to be a measure to block SMIC from acquiring equipment necessary for chip manufacturing. Most essential semiconductor equipment is supplied by U.S. companies.
The U.S. Department of Commerce claimed that semiconductor technology and equipment exported to SMIC pose a risk of being used by the Chinese military.
In the letter, the Department of Commerce stated, "It poses a risk of diversion for military purposes by the Chinese People's Liberation Army," and demanded that "a license application must be submitted prior to export."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
