TSMC warns US of Potential Huawei Attempt to Bypass US Chip Restrictions
TSMC warns US about a potential effort by Huawei to bypass US export controls, which restrict the Chinese company from obtaining high-end AI chips. These controls, imposed two years ago, aim to limit China’s access to advanced technologies that could enhance its military capabilities.
TSMC’s Compliance with US Export Rules
TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), the world’s largest chipmaker, stated that it has not supplied chips to Huawei since September 2020, in compliance with US restrictions. These rules prevent global semiconductor manufacturers from using US technology to produce chips for Huawei. While no investigation is currently underway, TSMC has alerted the US Commerce Department after a customer ordered a chip similar to Huawei’s Ascend 910B, designed for AI and large language model training.
TSMC’s US-listed shares dropped by 1.5% following this news.
US-China Tech Rivalry Intensifies
The US has been escalating its export controls on advanced semiconductors to prevent Chinese firms from developing or acquiring sophisticated AI technologies. Huawei, at the centre of this ongoing tech rivalry, continues to face stringent restrictions, highlighting the intensifying competition between Washington and Beijing.
The US Commerce Department and Huawei have yet to respond to requests for comments.