Taiwan’s Export Control: Huawei and SMIC Added to List

Beijing’s Chip Ambitions Face Another Challenge

Taiwan has added Chinese tech giants Huawei and SMIC to its export control list. This move comes as tensions over trade and technology continue to rise between China, the US, and Taiwan.

What Does This Mean for Taiwanese Firms?

Taiwanese companies must now get special permits before exporting goods to Huawei or SMIC. This is a big change for many businesses.

• Taiwan’s commerce ministry updated the list on Sunday.
• The list includes groups like the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
• It also includes other entities from Iran and China.

Understanding the Export Control List

The list is called the “strategic high-tech commodities” export control list. It is part of Taiwan’s rules to protect sensitive technologies.

These rules help ensure that advanced technologies do not fall into the wrong hands. This is crucial for global security.

Impact on Huawei and SMIC

Neither Huawei nor SMIC have responded to these new restrictions yet. Both firms are already under US sanctions.

They have been key to Beijing’s push for technological self-sufficiency. Despite these curbs, they have continued to produce China’s most advanced domestic AI chips.

Their goal is to rival US-based Nvidia. They also aim to support Chinese tech firms in the global chip war.

Taiwan’s Role in the Global Tech Supply Chain

Taiwan is home to TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker. TSMC is a critical supplier for Nvidia.

Last November, the US ordered TSMC to stop shipping certain advanced chips to Chinese clients. This was part of a broader effort to slow China’s access to leading-edge semiconductors.

US-Taiwan Relations

The US is Taiwan’s biggest unofficial ally and arms seller. Although Taiwan is self-ruled, China claims it as its own territory.

China has stated it will annex Taiwan by force if needed. This adds to the complexity of the situation.