Articles tagged with "export-controls"
Trump fires back at China’s rare earth mineral restrictions by threatening 100% tariffs
President Donald Trump announced on October 11, 2025, that he plans to impose a 100% tariff on all imports from China, in addition to existing tariffs, as a response to China’s recent restrictions on rare earth mineral exports. China, the world’s largest producer of these minerals critical to technology sectors such as semiconductors and solar panels, introduced licensing requirements for foreign companies exporting products containing even small amounts of these minerals. Trump condemned China’s move as unprecedented and morally wrong in international trade. The new tariffs are scheduled to take effect on November 1, though Trump indicated they could be reconsidered and that a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping might still proceed. The announcement triggered a sharp market reaction, with major U.S. stock indices falling significantly—Dow Jones down 1.9%, S&P 500 down 2.71%, and Nasdaq down 3.56%. Tech companies like Nvidia and Tesla experienced notable declines of around 5%, and the crypto markets also
rare-earth-mineralstrade-tariffsChina-US-tradecritical-materialssemiconductor-industrysolar-energy-materialsexport-controlsChina tightens export controls on rare earth minerals once again
China has tightened its export controls on rare earth minerals and related mining and refining technologies, adding five more rare earth elements to its export control list, bringing the total to 12. The Commerce Ministry announced that foreign producers must now apply for export licenses if their products contain any Chinese-origin rare earth minerals or related technology. Defense organizations will be denied licenses, while semiconductor manufacturers will undergo individual reviews. Exemptions are made for exports intended for humanitarian aid, such as public health emergencies and disaster relief. As the world’s largest producer of rare earth minerals, China is leveraging these controls to safeguard national security amid increasing global competition in semiconductor manufacturing. This move mirrors recent U.S. export restrictions on chipmaking equipment aimed at limiting China’s technological advancements. The announcement follows Beijing’s April decision to add several rare earth minerals to its export control list in response to U.S. tariffs under the Trump administration, which had already caused significant global supply shortages. Rare earth minerals remain critical for industries including solar energy, electric vehicles
rare-earth-mineralsexport-controlssemiconductor-manufacturingenergy-materialselectric-vehicle-batteriessupply-chain-securityChina-trade-policyAI chip shipments from US had secret location trackers: Report
A recent report reveals that some AI chip shipments from the United States to other countries were covertly equipped with location tracking devices. These trackers were reportedly placed in shipments deemed at high risk of illegal diversion to China, aiming to enforce US export restrictions on advanced AI chips. The devices were typically hidden within server packaging from manufacturers like Dell and Super Micro, which include chips from Nvidia and AMD. While the exact parties responsible for installing the trackers and the precise points along the shipping routes remain unclear, US agencies such as the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI are suspected to be involved. This tactic aligns with longstanding US law enforcement practices to monitor shipments and prevent unauthorized technology transfers to restricted countries. The use of these trackers comes amid ongoing US efforts to limit China’s access to cutting-edge AI technology, which is crucial for innovations in electric vehicles, semiconductors, and aerospace. Since 2022, the US has restricted sales of advanced chips from Nvidia and
IoTAI-chipsexport-controlssemiconductor-trackingsupply-chain-securityadvanced-technologylocation-trackersSmuggled NVIDIA chips flood China despite US export crackdown
A Financial Times investigation reveals that despite the U.S. government's export controls introduced in April 2025 banning NVIDIA’s China-specific H20 AI chips, over $1 billion worth of smuggled NVIDIA B200 and other restricted chips have flooded the Chinese market. These chips are openly sold on Chinese social media platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu, often alongside other high-end NVIDIA products, and are purchased by local data center suppliers serving major AI firms. The black market emerged rapidly after the export ban, with sellers even promising access to next-generation B300 chips ahead of official launches. NVIDIA maintains that it does not sell restricted chips to Chinese customers and does not support unauthorized deployments, emphasizing that datacenters require official service and support. CEO Jensen Huang has downplayed the extent of chip diversion and criticized export controls as ineffective, arguing they may accelerate China’s independent AI hardware development, potentially undermining U.S. leadership. The U.S. government is pressuring allies like Singapore, where arrests
semiconductorAI-chipsNVIDIAexport-controlsblack-marketdata-centerschip-smugglingTrump’s AI Action Plan aims to block chip exports to China but lacks key details
The Trump administration’s recently released AI Action Plan aims to maintain U.S. leadership in AI technology while preventing adversaries, particularly China, from benefiting from American innovations. Central to the plan is strengthening export controls on AI chips through “creative approaches,” including working with government agencies and the AI industry to develop chip location verification features and establishing enforcement mechanisms for export restrictions. The plan emphasizes the need for international alignment with allies to impose strong export controls and prevent backfilling, using tools like the Foreign Direct Product Rule and secondary tariffs. However, the plan lacks detailed strategies on how these goals will be achieved, especially regarding coordination with global allies and specific enforcement measures. Instead, it outlines foundational steps for future sustainable export guidelines rather than immediate policy implementations. This ambiguity reflects ongoing uncertainty, as the administration has shown inconsistent export restriction policies recently, such as rescinding previous Biden-era rules and fluctuating stances on semiconductor exports to China. Upcoming executive orders expected around July 23 may focus more on organizing government efforts than
energysemiconductorsAI-chipsexport-controlstechnology-policyinternational-tradechip-manufacturingNvidia’s resumption of H20 chip sales related to rare earth element trade talks
Nvidia recently reversed its June decision to halt sales of its H20 AI chip to China, filing an application to resume these sales. This move is closely linked to ongoing U.S.-China trade discussions concerning rare earth elements (REEs), such as lanthanum and cerium, which are predominantly mined in China and are essential for technologies including electric vehicle batteries. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated that Nvidia’s chip sales resumption is part of broader negotiations around these critical materials, emphasizing that China will not receive Nvidia’s most advanced technology. The decision has sparked controversy, with some U.S. lawmakers, including Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, criticizing it as inconsistent with prior export control policies aimed at protecting advanced technology from foreign adversaries. However, Lutnick downplayed these concerns, assuring that the chips sold to China are not among Nvidia’s top-tier products. This development follows rumors that Nvidia was seeking ways to comply with U.S. export regulations while continuing business in China
energyrare-earth-elementsNvidiasemiconductor-chipsAI-chipstrade-talksexport-controlsNvidia is set to resume China chip sales after months of regulatory whiplash
Nvidia has announced it is filing applications to resume sales of its H20 artificial intelligence chips to China after several months of regulatory uncertainty. The H20 chip, designed for AI inference tasks rather than training new models, is currently the most powerful AI processor Nvidia can legally export to China under U.S. export controls. Alongside the H20, Nvidia is introducing a new “RTX Pro” chip tailored specifically for the Chinese market, which the company says complies fully with regulations and is suited for digital manufacturing applications like smart factories and logistics. The regulatory back-and-forth began in April when the Trump administration imposed restrictions on sales of high-performance chips, including the H20, potentially costing Nvidia $15 to $16 billion in revenue from Chinese customers. However, after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang attended a high-profile dinner at Mar-a-Lago and pledged increased U.S. investments and jobs, the administration paused the ban. This episode highlights the ongoing tension between U.S. national security concerns aimed at limiting China’s
materialssemiconductorAI-chipsNvidiaChina-tech-marketexport-controlsdigital-manufacturingNvidia boss dismisses China military chip use, cites US tech risk
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has downplayed concerns that China’s military could effectively use American AI chips, citing export restrictions and the risk of sanctions as major deterrents. Speaking ahead of a planned visit to China, Huang argued that Chinese military institutions would avoid dependence on US-origin hardware like Nvidia’s advanced A100 and H100 GPUs due to the possibility of supply cutoffs. His comments come amid ongoing US efforts to limit Beijing’s access to cutting-edge semiconductor technologies, which Washington views as critical to national security. Despite Huang’s reassurances, US lawmakers remain wary. Senators Jim Banks and Elizabeth Warren have formally urged Huang not to engage with Chinese military-linked entities or firms circumventing US export controls, such as DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company accused of indirectly sourcing Nvidia chips to support military and intelligence projects. The bipartisan concern reflects broader fears over the dual-use nature of high-end GPUs, which power both civilian AI applications and sophisticated military systems like battlefield automation and electronic warfare. Meanwhile, Nvidia faces complex geopolitical challenges
semiconductorsAI-chipsNvidiamilitary-technologyexport-controlsUS-China-relationstechnology-securityTaiwan places export controls on Huawei and SMIC
Taiwan has imposed export controls on Chinese technology companies Huawei and SMIC, restricting their access to critical resources needed for AI chip production. The Taiwanese International Trade Administration has classified certain high-tech commodities as strategic, requiring government approval for any shipments to these companies. This move effectively limits Huawei and SMIC’s ability to obtain Taiwanese plant construction technologies, materials, and equipment. The export controls are part of a broader effort by Taiwan to address national security concerns and combat arms proliferation. On June 10, the administration added over 600 entities from countries including Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Myanmar, and mainland China—among them Huawei and SMIC—to its restricted entity list. This development could significantly hinder China’s progress in developing advanced AI semiconductors.
materialssemiconductorsexport-controlsAI-chipshigh-tech-commoditiesTaiwan-tradesupply-chain-security