The US Commerce Department is preparing to expand its export restrictions to additional Chinese chip firms, reportedly adding as many as 200 companies to its restricted list.
The US has been working to restrict China’s access to advanced semiconductor technology, especially with the advent of AI. As a result, some of the countries most prestigious companies are already restricted from accessing advanced technology made in whole or in part with US intellectual property.
According to a report by Reuters, the Commerce Department is preparing to significantly expand its list of restricted companies, adding up to 200 additional companies. The new regulations are expected “prior to the Thanksgiving break.”
While many policies change with an administration change, this policy is likely to survive the transition from the Biden to Trump administration. In his previous term as US President, Trump tried to ban TikTok and was critical of China and its tech industry. Trump has also promised tariffs on goods from China, as high as 50%.
As a result, if the new regulations are pushed through, it’s likely they will survive—and possibly be expanded even more—under Trump’s second administration.