US "Expanding export controls on China to include services and parts beyond semiconductor equipment"

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce for Industry Security
"Encouraging Samsung and SK's Suspension of Semiconductor Equipment Sales to China"

An official overseeing the United States' semiconductor export controls to China has expressed intentions to regulate not only semiconductor manufacturing equipment but also the sale of services and parts necessary for equipment already exported to China.

Alan Estevez, U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, stated at a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the 21st (local time), "Before implementing semiconductor equipment export controls, we are also looking into service issues related to equipment already exported to China." This implies that, in addition to blocking new semiconductor equipment exports to China, the aim is to prevent the use of semiconductor equipment already in possession there.

Deputy Under Secretary Estevez said, "We are also dealing with parts," adding, "We have blocked parts from going (to China), and we are trying to get our allies to join us." Referring to the participation of the Netherlands and Japan in semiconductor equipment export controls, he said, "This is not the end; there is more to be done," and "There are parts issues, and this includes other countries as well."

So far, U.S. companies have expressed dissatisfaction that companies from other countries still provide maintenance services and parts necessary for operating semiconductor equipment in China, causing disadvantages only to U.S. companies. This is interpreted as an indication of expanding the scope of semiconductor equipment export controls to China to include services and parts, and extending these controls to other countries. South Korea is also being urged by the U.S. to join the export control efforts.

In response to a lawmaker's question on how to pressure allies to participate in export controls to China, Deputy Under Secretary Estevez replied, "We do not pressure or coerce our allies," adding, "We cooperate with our allies. That is why they are allies."

Deputy Under Secretary Estevez also positively evaluated the decision by Korean companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix not to sell outdated semiconductor equipment to China. In a written statement submitted to the Foreign Affairs Committee, he said, "The United States is strengthening cooperation and coordination with key allies and partners to further restrict China's ability to acquire a wide range of items and support necessary to enhance its military capabilities," and "In this context, it is encouraging that allies and partners are taking appropriate actions through their national legal frameworks."

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