China investigates US semiconductor industry

(MENAFN) China’s Ministry of Commerce has announced two separate probes into the American chip sector, just one day before the latest round of trade negotiations between Beijing and Washington kicked off in Spain.

The US has long accused China of engaging in unfair trade practices, including intellectual property violations and coerced technology transfers. In contrast, Beijing has condemned US export restrictions, saying they politicize commerce, disrupt supply chains, and hurt all parties.

The current four-day discussions, which began Sunday, represent the fourth round of talks in recent months as both sides attempt to ease growing tensions between the world’s two biggest economies.

According to the ministry, the first inquiry is an anti-dumping case focusing on certain types of analog integrated circuit chips imported from the US. These include commodity interface IC chips and gate driver IC chips, commonly produced by major American firms such as Texas Instruments and ON Semiconductor, as noted by reports.

The second investigation is centered on allegations of discriminatory US measures against China’s semiconductor industry. “Certain US measures in the integrated circuit sector amount to discriminatory bans, restrictions, or similar actions targeting China,” the ministry stated.

This announcement came shortly after the US Department of Commerce expanded its trade blacklist by adding 32 foreign companies, 23 of which are based in China. Among them were two firms accused of using American technology to help manufacture chips for China’s top semiconductor producer, SMIC. Washington said the blacklisting was tied to activities that undermined fair trade and US national security.

Back in July, US President Donald Trump authorized California-based Nvidia to resume sales of a China-specific artificial intelligence chip that had previously been restricted to curb Beijing’s access to advanced computing capabilities. Reports indicated that the reversal drew criticism from some Trump administration officials, who warned the decision could weaken America’s edge in critical technologies.

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