On October 10, President Donald Trump accused China of attempting to “hold the world captive” through its rare-earth export controls and threatened “financial countermeasures” in response. His remarks underscore a new strategic reality: Export controls are no longer a national security framework to regulate sensitive technologies; they are now a key instrument that can be … Continue Reading
More to Come? U.S. Export Controls According to reports, the Biden Administration is set to further tighten restrictions on the export of semiconductor manufacturing gear to China, with new restrictions expected to be announced as early as next month. The rules may double the number of machines that require special licenses for export.… Continue Reading
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING: CHIPS FUNDING GUIDANCE & GUARDRAILS On February 28, the Commerce Department launched the first CHIPS funding opportunity for projects to construct, expand, or modernize commercial facilities for the production of leading-edge, current-generation, and mature-node semiconductors. Timeline:… Continue Reading
What We’re Watching: Disruptive Technology Strike Force On February 16, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Department of Commerce announced the creation of a Disruptive Technology Strike Force, which will be co-led by DOJ’s National Security Division and Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). The goal of this strike force is to … Continue Reading
“Offense” & “Defense” in U.S. Semiconductor Strategy (Again) Last December, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo made the case that both a defensive strategy (referring to export controls for semiconductor technology) and an offensive strategy (referring to investments in R&D and workforce) are essential to the U.S.’s “national security, its ability to lead, and its global … Continue Reading
What Happened Last Week: Commerce Secretary Raimondo’s Remarks on U.S.-China Competition Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said export controls will be “strategically and continuously” updated in remarks at MIT on November 30.… Continue Reading
