Taiwan places export controls on Huawei and SMIC

Taiwan has imposed export controls on Chinese technology companies Huawei and SMIC, restricting their access to critical resources needed for AI chip production. The Taiwanese International Trade Administration has classified certain high-tech commodities as strategic, requiring government approval for any shipments to these companies. This move effectively limits Huawei and SMIC’s ability to obtain Taiwanese plant construction technologies, materials, and equipment. The export controls are part of a broader effort by Taiwan to address national security concerns and combat arms proliferation. On June 10, the administration added over 600 entities from countries including Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Myanmar, and mainland China—among them Huawei and SMIC—to its restricted entity list. This development could significantly hinder China’s progress in developing advanced AI semiconductors.