WASHINGTON - The United States on Friday announced it has imposed export controls on 77 Chinese companies including the country's biggest chipmaker SMIC, restricting its access to US technology over its alleged ties to China's military.
"China's corrupt and bullying behavior both inside and outside its borders harm US national security interests, undermines the sovereignty of our allies and partners, and violates the human rights and dignity of ethnic and religious minority groups," Ross said. In a call with reporters, a senior Commerce Department official said Washington has evidence that SMIC has worked with the Chinese military on developing short- and medium-range ballistic missiles and exoskeletons for soldiers, but had been in talks with SMIC for months on a way to avoid the designation.
The designation means US companies must apply for a license before exporting to SMIC, and specifically targets the Chinese firm's ability to acquire materials for producing chips of 10 nanometers or smaller, the best class in the industry.