On March 8th, according to Japanese media reports, the United States has recently exerted pressure on Japan and the Netherlands again regarding semiconductor export controls, demanding strengthened control over Chinese semiconductor technology.
This move indicates that the U.S.'s strategy to slow down Chinese technological innovation has not made significant progress as desired, thereby triggering anxiety in the United States.
It is understood that the U.S. initially expanded export controls on cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing equipment to include some mid-to-high-end models, and covered critical chemical materials necessary for semiconductor manufacturing. This adjustment aimed to comprehensively restrict China's access to advanced technology, ensuring America's competitive advantage in the semiconductor field.
However, the reality has disappointed the United States. Despite countries like Japan and the Netherlands cooperating with the U.S. to implement certain control measures, China continues to advance semiconductor technology rapidly through means such as improving mid-to-low-end manufacturing equipment and utilizing components and technologies procured before the implementation of controls, spearheaded by resilient tech giants like Huawei.
At the same time, the export of mid-to-high-end manufacturing equipment from Japan and the Netherlands to China, outside of the scope of control, is rapidly increasing. This trend has raised concerns in the United States, fearing that the desired effects might not be achieved.
Analysts point out that the U.S.'s anxiety over semiconductor controls on China reflects its dilemma in maintaining its position in the global semiconductor market. With China's rapid rise in the semiconductor field, the U.S. is feeling unprecedented pressure. To maintain its leading position, the U.S. has to adopt stricter control measures, but this could also potentially trigger more trade frictions and technology disputes.
