"US Reviewing Sanctions on Huawei's Secret Chip Network"

US Sanctions Bypassed to Unveil Advanced 7nm Chip

The U.S. government has begun preparing measures to sanction a secret semiconductor network within China, led by Huawei, Bloomberg reported on the 20th (local time).

According to sources cited by the news agency, the Biden administration is considering placing several Chinese semiconductor companies related to the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei on a blacklist. This is based on the assessment that these companies form a secret network aiding Huawei's semiconductor development.

Leading sanction targets include Chinese chip manufacturers Qingdao Xian and Changxin Memory Technology, as well as semiconductor equipment manufacturers Shenzhen Fengjin High-Tech and Siccarrier. Most of these companies have been confirmed to be either acquired by Huawei or partners, as announced last year by the U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association.

The background to the U.S. intensifying pressure on China appears to be triggered by Huawei's new product launch. In August last year, Huawei surprised the world by releasing the new smartphone 'Mate 60 Pro,' equipped with a domestically produced 7nm (nanometer, one billionth of a meter) process processor. Despite Huawei being added to the U.S. trade restriction list in 2019 and its smartphone business suffering for years, it boldly introduced an advanced application processor (AP) to the market.

Generally, implementing a 7nm process is believed to require advanced semiconductor production equipment such as extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines. The Netherlands-based ASML, the world's sole EUV equipment manufacturer, has banned exports of EUV lithography equipment to Huawei since 2022. The news agency suggested that the chips might have been manufactured using equipment purchased before the Dutch export controls took effect.

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security stated, "We are investigating the manufacturing process of Huawei chips estimated to be 7nm." U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said, "We will take the strongest possible measures for U.S. security." Some Republican lawmakers have reportedly demanded that authorities completely block access to U.S. suppliers for Huawei and China's largest foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturer) SMIC.

However, sources said it is unclear whether the U.S. Department of Commerce has additional evidence linking the blacklisted companies to Huawei. They added that since both the U.S. and China have attempted to improve relations in recent months, the direction of sanctions should be observed. According to the news agency, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is expected to visit China again this year. Additionally, senior U.S. officials have discussed a phone call between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping this spring.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.