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China chip trade group warns US pact with Japan, Netherlands to tighten semiconductor export controls threatens global industry and free trade

  • The China Semiconductor Industry Association said it is opposed to actions that exclude the domestic market from global innovation
  • Its response comes about two weeks after the US, Japan and the Netherlands reportedly reached a deal to impose tightened chip export controls on China

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China’s strongest response so far to the US government’s semiconductor trade restrictions was its decision in December to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization. Photo: Shutterstock
Che Panin Beijing
A Chinese state-backed semiconductor trade group has warned that the United States-led pact with Japan and the Netherlands to further restrict China’s access to chip-making technology poses a threat to the entire industry and marks a step back in the era of free trade.
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“China Semiconductor Industry Association (CSIA) firmly protests against such acts that destroy the global semiconductor ecosystem,” the 744-member trade body said in a statement published on its website on Wednesday, condemning “inappropriate intervention by governments and authorities”. It also called for increased support for globalisation and resistance to efforts that destabilise supply and demand.

“We oppose such acts that exclude China’s semiconductor industry from the global innovation system and free-market competition,” the group said.

CSIA’s response comes about two weeks after the US, Japan and the Netherlands reportedly reached an agreement to impose export controls against China covering certain chip-making equipment, such as ArF Immersion deep ultraviolet lithography machines, a move that would undercut Beijing’s ambitions to build up the country’s semiconductor capabilities. Details of the trilateral deal have not been made public.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning has said the agreement between the US, Japan and the Netherlands puts the global semiconductor industry at risk. Photo: Kyodo
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning has said the agreement between the US, Japan and the Netherlands puts the global semiconductor industry at risk. Photo: Kyodo
At a briefing on January 30, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the US-led agreement is not only harmful to all concerned parties, but threatens the stability of the global semiconductor supply chain.
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