China Criticizes New US Export Controls on Semiconductor, Gas Turbine Tech

The U.S.’s recently announced export controls on four technologies that can be used to produce advanced semiconductors and gas turbine engines (see 2208120038) are a “violation” of international trade rules, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce said this week. The controls -- which will impose license restrictions on two substrates of ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors, certain Electronic Computer Aided Design software and certain pressure gain combustion technology -- “will inevitably hinder international scientific and technological exchanges” and “threaten the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains,” the spokesperson said, according to an unofficial translation of an Aug. 18 news conference transcript. “The United States continues to generalize the concept of national security and abuses export control measures,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also criticized the U.S.'s enactment of the CHIPS and Science Act (see 2207280049), which includes measures to incentivize research, development and manufacturing in the U.S. semiconductor industry. The ministry spokesperson said some of the law's provisions "restrict the normal economic and trade and investment activities" of Chinese companies and are "obviously discriminatory and seriously violate market laws and international economic and trade rules."