On September 25, 2023, a customer emerged from a Huawei store in Beijing carrying a newly purchased product after participating in a product launch event. The Taiwan Commerce Ministry has now added Huawei Technologies and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) to its list of entities subject to export controls, a decision driven by increasing trade and technology disputes involving the self-ruled island, China, and the United States.
Being included on the "strategic high-tech commodities" list implies that Taiwanese firms must secure export permits prior to conducting business with these companies. This list also includes various other entities such as the Taliban and al-Qaeda, along with several companies from China and Iran.
The most recent update to the export control entities list occurred this past Sunday. As of now, both Huawei and SMIC have not made any public statements regarding their addition to this list. Both companies have faced sanctions from the United States and have been working on producing advanced artificial intelligence chips in China, aiming to compete with American company Nvidia and meet the demands of Chinese technology firms amidst ongoing export restrictions.
Taiwan is home to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the largest chip manufacturer globally and a key supplier for Nvidia. The U.S. has previously directed TSMC to stop the supply of certain advanced chips to Chinese customers as part of its strategy to limit China's access to high-end technology.
China asserts that Taiwan is part of its territory and aims for its eventual annexation, if necessary, by force. The United States plays a significant role as Taiwan's primary unofficial ally and arms supplier.
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